Washington — Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson warned Sunday of efforts by unhealthy actors to “hack voters’ minds” to unfold misinformation forward of Election Day.
“We all know that as a result of our techniques are safe, there are international, unhealthy actors and adversaries to democracy on the worldwide scale who will search to doubtlessly not hack our techniques, however hack voters’ minds to unfold falsehoods and misinformation,” Benson mentioned on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.” “Not simply to sow seeds of mistrust, however to decrease residents’ confidence within the course of and in their very own voices.”
Benson, a Democrat, mentioned the misinformation is being amplified as a result of “if there’s sufficient noise,” folks could disengage altogether, noting that “that is the purpose” of these seeking to sow mistrust.
The Michigan secretary of state, who has additionally accused Elon Musk — a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump — of deliberately spreading false details about Michigan voters, mentioned Sunday when requested about Musk’s intentions that “adversaries to democracy” are working to “create chaos” and mistrust across the elections processes, “not simply in Michigan however across the nation.”
“So it is incumbent upon all of us to look to trusted sources of knowledge, like your native election official and use knowledge to judge questions, versus people who find themselves operating social media firms with specific agendas and who’ve a historical past in amplifying conspiracy theories and false info,” Benson mentioned. She inspired Michiganders to go to michigan.gov/electionfacts relatively than to social media for trusted and correct election info.
Early in-person voting started Saturday in Detroit, and greater than 1,000,000 folks have returned absentee ballots within the state greater than two weeks forward of Election Day, Benson mentioned, calling it a “nice signal for an engaged voters on each side of the aisle.”
Benson mentioned she would “with out hesitation” implement election certification if Trump wins, saying “that is our job as skilled election directors, to ensure it is simple to vote, arduous to cheat, and that all of us stand by the need of the folks — no matter that could be.”
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican who additionally appeared on “Face the Nation” on Sunday, likewise expressed that he’ll comply with the regulation.
“I will make it possible for whoever wins this race, that’s what will get licensed,” Raffensperger mentioned. “I will do my job, and that is what the folks of Georgia have elected me to do.”
Raffensperger, who in 2021 resisted former President Donald Trump’s urging to “discover” greater than 11,000 votes and overturn the outcomes of the election within the Peach State, outlined that the state has seen nearly 1.4 million folks vote early or who’ve accepted absentee ballots this 12 months, noting that “we’re in all probability going to see a report turnout early voting.”
“Most likely 65, possibly even 70% of all Georgians are going to vote that method, however they’ve a free will selection on the way to vote,” Raffensperger mentioned. He famous that the state has voter safety measures comparable to picture ID and citizenship verifications.
“I perceive we’re very aggressive,” Raffensperger added. “That is why we have executed the whole lot since day one to ensure we have now quick, correct and safe elections for all my voters right here in Georgia.”
