Republican Senator Jim Runestad strongly criticized recently passed legislation in Michigan that would shift the power to investigate election fraud from the Board of State Canvassers to county prosecutors. In a fiery speech, Runestad warned of the potential consequences of this change, claiming that it would undermine the security of future elections in the state.
According to Runestad, the current law regarding the Board of Canvassers is clear and allows for proper investigation if there are suspicions of fraud. This includes the power to subpoena individuals and information. However, the new legislation, Senate Bills 603 and 604, would strip the Board of Canvassers of these abilities and instead hand them over to “hyper-partisan” prosecutors appointed by the attorney general. Runestad expressed doubt that these prosecutors would conduct fair and thorough investigations if the accusations of fraud came from a conservative party.
In response to claims that the Board of Canvassers did not utilize their power effectively in the past, Runestad argued that it had been used in the last two major elections. He cited the 2016 elections where 72 percent of precincts in Detroit were unable to be recounted due to various issues such as broken-open ballot boxes. Despite this, the board was given more time and resources to investigate. In the 2020 elections, this number increased to 79 percent. Runestad also claimed that members of the county boards were threatened and harassed with death threats when they began to investigate potential electoral issues.
Runestad called the passing of the bills an “outrage,” and highlighted the extreme levels of harassment and threats faced by the Wayne County Board of Canvassers during the 2020 elections. He described one board member being doxed and receiving death threats against her and her daughter, including a graphic image of a murdered child and a threat directed towards her own daughter. Runestad expressed his disbelief and disappointment that such a bill could pass in light of the events that unfolded during the last election.
Runestad strongly condemned the passing of the legislation in Michigan, warning of the potential consequences it could have on the security and fairness of future elections. He urged his fellow legislators to reconsider their decision and prioritize the accountability and integrity of the electoral process in the state. Runestad’s fiery speech is a powerful reminder of the importance of fair and thorough investigation in cases of potential fraud, and the potential consequences of stripping appropriate authorities of their power.
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