Detroit election officials say Trump's federal order may discourage voter participation, but safeguards in place
A new executive order from President Trump targeting mail-in voting procedures has prompted Detroit and Michigan election officials to reject federal interference and vow to protect voter access ahead of November elections.
"Your vote is protected here in the city of Detroit, and we will also implement measures to make it easier, even if they're trying to make it harder," Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey said.
If enacted, the order would require the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to produce a list of all the people in a state who meet the age and citizenship qualifications to be voters and then send that list to each state. The order would push states to send a list of eligible voters to the U.S. Postal Service, and anyone who isn't on the list wouldn't get a ballot.
Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey says that confusion may lead some people away from voting altogether.
"When an individual has to go through extra measures to vote or to participate in anything, it's discouraging, and oftentimes, they feel like it's not worth it," said Winfrey.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson denounced the move in a statement, saying, "By ordering the DOJ to target state and local election officials, this administration is coming after hardworking local public servants for doing their jobs safeguarding democracy. It is meant to sow fear, confusion, and doubt among voters."
As Chief of Operations for the Detroit Department of Elections, Daniel Baxter says this order directly impacts his office, but says there are safeguards in place to prevent any significant issues.
"You don't have a commission or an appointed individual who is ultimately responsible for the administration of elections; all of that's relegated and interpreted and processed by the states," said Baxter.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel called the order another unrelenting move from the Trump administration, saying, "The Constitution is clear: The President cannot direct or control our state voting laws, and no scribble of his sharpie can give him the authority that he so desperately seeks."
Wayne State Political Science Professor Kevin Deegan-Krause says the order also doesn't make logistical sense, particularly for the departments that have to pick up the responsibility.
"The post office, which has had shrinking budgets and increasing restrictions over time, is now going to be expected to produce mail-type ballots, and do so with a list, provided by states to decide who gets mail and who doesn't," said Deegan-Krause.
With the order expected to be fought in the court system, Winfrey says her team's focus is to ensure that each Detroiter's voice is heard and properly counted by using affidavits verifying each voter and extending early voting hours for access.
"Detroit has always been a champion for the voters and ensuring that whatever may come to stop us from voting, we're going to figure out how to make voting comfortable for our constituents," said Winfrey.
