On the Issues
Improved Customer Service
20 MINUTES OR LESS
As Michigan’s chief motor vehicle officer, Jocelyn Benson has taken a “hands-on” approach to replacing the state’s antiquated ‘take-a-ticket and wait’ system of serving Michiganders visiting a Secretary of State office that led to hour long wait times. Thanks to her leadership, Michiganders no longer face hours-long visits, but rather are in and out of a branch office on average, in 20 minutes or less.
60 percent of SOS transactions now done without an office visit
Secretary Benson dramatically reduced the number of times or reasons a Michigander needs to visit a SOS office, implementing technology upgrades and expanding the types of transactions handled online. Thanks to those efforts Michigan residents now conduct 60% of transactions without an office visit, up from just 28 percent in 2018.
Self-Service Stations in Grocery Stores
In addition to expanding online services, Secretary Benson is partnering with the private sector to offer service-service stations at branch offices and grocery stores like Meijer and Kroger. What could be more convenient than renewing license plates and driver licenses while grocery shopping?
Free and Fair Elections
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is a national voting rights expert whose top priority is ensuring free and fair, transparent and secure elections for everyone – Democrats, Republicans and Independents.
Secretary Benson oversaw the safest, most secure election in Michigan history. More than 5.5 million Michigan voters cast ballots in November 2020, shattering turnout records. That milestone was made possible, in part, by a new voter-approved, constitutional guarantee that gives every citizen the option to vote from home.
Even before the 2020 Presidential election, Secretary Benson was working to dramatically improve elections in Michigan. In her first term she:
Modernized voter registration
Modernized Michigan’s voter registration system, making it easier to register to vote, authorizing voter registration online and implementing automatic voter registration for all eligible citizens and in-person voter registration on Election Day.
Recruited 30,000 election workers
Developed and led the state’s first campaign to recruit a new generation of poll workers, resulting in over 30,000 new election workers throughout the state.
Secure drop boxes
Helped provide and place over 1,000 secure drop boxes in hundreds of communities, ensuring all voters can return their ballot conveniently, safely and securely.
Enabled voting from home
Implemented a voter-approved constitutional amendment guaranteeing every voter the right to vote by absentee ballot, which helped fuel record turnout, all during a pandemic.
Mailed absentee ballot request forms to all voters
Mailed absentee ballot applications to every registered voter on file with an explanation that voting from the convenience of home is an option for every voter, not just those that meet certain requirements.
Online absentee applications
Made downloadable absentee ballot applications available online.
Engaging underrepresented voters
Launched innovative new methods to engage underrepresented voters, including programs in areas of the state with historically low voter participation rates.
Conducted hundreds of election audits
Worked with local election officials to conduct hundreds of unprecedented election audits.
Secretary Benson believes every voice must be heard and every vote must be counted whether cast by a Republican, a Democrat or an Independent.
To ensure that, Secretary Benson has worked with local election officials to conduct hundreds of unprecedented election audits – each of which affirmed the integrity and accuracy of the election.
Her expertise and experience has made her a leading national voice in defending the will of the people and her work continues to drive and influence the national efforts to protect democracy.