Former President Donald Trump is leading President Biden in Michigan, according to RealClearPolitics’ average of polling, and Democrats in the state are panicking. But following Biden’s disastrous debate last month, liberal Michiganders aren’t the only ones concerned. Former Obama strategist David Axelrod (and many others analysts) are convinced Biden’s chances of beating Trump are “very, very slim.” That’s why two bills Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law this week are raising alarm.
The laws change the requirements for carrying out recounts and prosecuting election-related crimes.
Democrats championed SB 603 and SB 604, which dictate that a recount can only occur under a narrow set of conditions: There must be an allegation of “error” – not fraud – and anyone alleging error must prove it would have changed the outcome of the election. As The Federalist has previously reported, the bill also doubles the fee to request a recount.
Whitmer claimed the bills “ensur[e] that the security of every vote is protected and that losing parties cannot stop the winners from taking office.”
These new laws, which already make it prohibitively difficult to conduct a recount, eliminate the bipartisan Board of State Canvassers’ power to investigate fraud, instead forcing them to delegate the task to partisan county prosecutors or the partisan attorney general. (The Federalist)
RNC Chairman Michael Whatley blasted the new laws.
“Desperate to save Joe Biden's cratering presidency and re-election campaign, Gretchen Whitmer and Democrats have hung a new sign on Michigan's door: Open For Cheating," he said in a statement. "Whitmer is seizing Michiganders' rights to election transparency while empowering her Soros-funded allies because she knows her party is falling behind. We will fight this blatant power grab and defend Michigan voter's rights to free, fair, and secure elections.”
The laws take effect immediately.
