35th District State Representative Jennifer Wortz announced Wednesday that she’s introducing legislation that would require the Michigan Secretary of State to resign upon filing for, being nominated to, or being appointed to another office.
Wortz said House Bill 4819 is aimed at preserving impartiality in the role, which oversees elections, including voter registration, ballot preparation, and certification of results.
Wortz emphasized the importance of the Secretary of State remaining neutral to ensure fair and transparent elections.
In a press release, she said, “Allowing someone to simultaneously manage and participate in an election is like letting the fox guard the henhouse.” Wortz said, “There is just too much opportunity to unfairly influence outcomes.”
She pointed out recent actions by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, including announcing her campaign in a government building, as examples of potential conflicts of interest.
Wortz, a Republican, stressed that her legislation isn’t targeted solely at Benson but is essential for maintaining election integrity.
House Bill 4819 has been referred to the House Committee on Election Integrity for review.