Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is facing intense scrutiny just weeks before the general election, as allegations surfaced that her office misused absentee ballot applications to target inactive voters. The scandal broke on social media, and Republican State Representative Brad Paquette has been leading the charge, accusing Whitmer of attempting to manipulate the voter registration system to solicit votes.
According to Paquette, Whitmer’s office sent out prefilled absentee ballot applications to voters, including some whose registrations date back to the 1970s. In one particularly damning example, Paquette claims an absentee application was sent to a home where his mother grew up, despite the fact she hasn’t lived there in decades. The prefilled forms reportedly included a message warning voters that “freedom and voting rights are at risk,” encouraging them to sign and return the form to receive a ballot by mail.
Paquette argues that the language used in these applications was designed to stoke fear and paint President Trump as a “threat to democracy.” He warned that these prefilled applications could be exploited, allowing individuals to request ballots under false pretenses, which could undermine the integrity of the election process. Paquette’s concerns align with broader Republican efforts to enforce stricter voting laws, such as removing inactive voters from rolls and requiring photo identification to vote.
On the other hand, Whitmer and her Democratic allies have been pushing for expanded access to absentee voting, framing it as a way to make voting easier and more accessible, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. With absentee ballots set to be mailed out this week, the controversy over these prefilled applications has become a flashpoint in an already heated election season.
Michigan, a critical swing state, played a decisive role in the last two presidential elections. In 2020, the state flipped back to the Democrats, with Joe Biden winning by a margin of 2.8%, compared to Donald Trump’s narrow 2016 victory in the state by just 0.3%. Given Michigan’s electoral significance, both parties are keenly focused on securing every possible vote in this upcoming race, and the absentee ballot scandal could have serious implications for the outcome.
As the election approaches, tensions remain high. Poll challengers, who oversee ballot counting and ensure voter eligibility, are facing stricter rules in Michigan this year, part of a broader trend to minimize disruptions that plagued the 2020 election. With both sides gearing up for a close race, the controversy surrounding absentee ballots is likely to continue fueling political debate in the state.
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