For many voters, “protecting democracy” is a key issue in the 2024 elections, and, of course, rhetoric and accusations are flying regarding who the actual threat to democracy is. In light of at times misleading rhetoric, it is important to examine actual facts. There is one public official nationally who has been criticized by no fewer than three U.S. Court of Appeals judges in the past month for her actions subverting democracy: Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.

Benson has had two separate complaints filed against her with the Michigan Bar in recent weeks, one from former Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson focused on Benson’s dishonest court pleadings, and another from Michigan Republican Party Chairman Pete Hoekstra regarding Benson’s large campaign contribution to Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kyra Bolden while Bolden was considering a case against Benson at her court. The Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission is reviewing those complaints, and Benson’s defenders will no doubt rationalize them by arguing they were filed by Benson’s partisan opponents.