Jocelyn Benson is the Michigan Secretary of State and is also running against John James in the race for governor.
Fairly recently, Benson said this about the state's election security:
In January, Benson’s office cited an outside election expert who called Michigan a “standard bearer for clean voter lists” while criticizing Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini for raising concerns about suspected noncitizens on the rolls.
“Michigan knows how to run safe, secure, transparent elections,” Benson said at the time.
Benson also said in July that Michigan elections “are secure and safe and the results are an accurate reflection of the will of the people” while dismissing criticism from President Donald Trump as “baseless conspiracy theories.”
There are those "baseless conspiracy theories" again. We saw them go from "conspiracy theories" to reality just last month in New Jersey.
Fast forward to August of 2026 and all that has aged splendidly:
AG Nessel charges noncitizens for voting in 2024 Michigan election despite SOS Benson’s repeated assurances of ‘clean voter lists’ https://t.co/mmHPUsOxYm
— The Midwesterner (@Th_Midwesterner) August 13, 2026
Michigan Sec of State Jocelyn Benson in 2024:
— Alec Lace (@AlecLace) August 13, 2026
“There’s no evidence that noncitizens are voting.”
Today: Michigan AG Dana Nessel charges five non-citizens for voting in the 2024 election.
So… was there no evidence, or was no one looking? pic.twitter.com/GB96yH3rb1
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In 2024, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson testifying under oath to Congress: "There's no evidence that non-citizens are voting."
— MI Senate Republicans (@MISenate) August 13, 2026
Today, Attorney General Dana Nessel charged five non-citizens for voting in Michigan elections. https://t.co/b4eKbZEOAX pic.twitter.com/CYPoI53pmt
What Jocelyn Benson deemed impossible is now factual. How many non-citizens are still on Michigan voter rolls? Republican SOS nominee Anthony Forlini has found 40 on the QVF in Macomb County. https://t.co/Nh3t36CCdi pic.twitter.com/fZOBST8qS6
— Heather Dow (@PatriotPostGirl) August 13, 2026
Well, isn't that odd, considering Benson previously indicated this couldn't happen:
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced charges Thursday against five noncitizens accused of illegally voting, attempting to vote or registering in connection with the 2024 election, adding to scrutiny of Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s repeated assurances that Michigan maintains clean voter rolls and secure elections.
Nessel’s office said the Michigan Department of State referred 16 suspected noncitizen voting cases from the 2024 general election in 2025, followed by another 22 cases in 2026 involving suspected noncitizen voting or related conduct dating back to 2009.
Six cases have resulted in criminal charges, 10 were closed without charges and 22 remain under review, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
This is getting way too predictable.
The thing they said wasn't happening, is happening
— SoxOnMyFeet (@Sox30599976) August 13, 2026
Benson's spin? "The system works":
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson responds to my question about six non-citizens charged for voting in the 2024 election. pic.twitter.com/PglPf2tg6u
— Remington Hernandez (@TheDailyRem) August 13, 2026
The system didn’t work because those votes counted. pic.twitter.com/2xeDD1WaSN
— Anna Hoffman (@shoesonplease) August 13, 2026
Benson initially claimed "the system" was clean and this couldn't happen. Suuure.
*****