On Monday, The Midwesterner reported on Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s crusade against so-called “election misinformation.”
On Tuesday, a letter was shared with The Midwesterner that indicates Benson is willing to put teeth into her threats by bringing the prosecutorial power wielded by Michigan Attorney General’s office under Dana Nessel to challenge what they consider such “misinformation.”
The letter addresses social media posts by a Ross Township resident who claims the township did not let residents know within the legally required 60 days that they had changed voting locations.
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That same resident received a cease and desist letter from Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office above AG Criminal Trials Division Chief Robbin N. Liddell’s signature that claimed: the individual in question is “in violation of Michigan election law.”
The letter continued: “It has come to the attention of our office that you have spread misleading or false election information regarding polling locations in Ross Township through on-line sites. Specifically MCL 168.932(a) prohibits and criminalizes this conduct.”
The letter was first reported by 910AM host Justin Barclay Tuesday morning.
A perfunctory analysis of the election law in question, however, doesn’t mention stating opinions, directing criticism about changing polling locations, or the timing thereof as “misleading or false information.”
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Instead, the paragraph cited by Liddell clearly states: ” (a) A person shall not attempt, by means of bribery, menace, or other corrupt means or device, either directly or indirectly, to influence an elector in giving his or her vote, or to deter the elector from, or interrupt the elector in giving his or her vote at any election held in this state.”
Liddell alleges that the township board and clerk “legally approved and selected” the new polling locations in Ross Township.
“Any false or misleading information you posted should be removed across all platforms,” Liddell wrote.
Liddell concluded: “Therefore, you are hereby ordered to CEASE AND DESIST the use of online platforms to continue spreading false or misleading information regarding the Ross Township polling locations. Failure to comply with this notice may result in criminal prosecution.”
The recipient of the Liddell’s letter, who chooses to remain anonymous, acknowledged to The Midwesterner that he/she has removed material from social media platforms.
Last week, Benson announced her own Ministry of Truth under the auspices of the Michigan Secretary of State’s office. The Bureau of Elections document issued by Benson’s office calls on citizens to report any “inaccurate or misleading information regarding voting or elections in Michigan.”
The document continues: “The act of spreading misinformation about the election process, voter rights, or even an issue on the ballot is a serious threat to election security. These efforts – be they foreign, domestic, partisan, or simply malicious – are designed to create mistrust in our elections process and are damaging to a healthy democracy.”