On Tuesday, Nov. 6, Democrat Jocelyn Benson won out against her Republican oponent Mary Treder Lang in her second bid for Secretary of State — running for the first time in 2010 against Ruth Johnson. Though Democrats all over the state are happy with Benson's win, perhaps the LGBTQ community is among the happiest. In particular, those who are transgender can likely appreciate her support for the community to change their gender on identification long before most politicians were aware of that community.
"I'm not going to stick my nose into anyone's private decision," Benson said to MLive during the 2010 race. "Where there is proper documentation to reflect a fact, then our records should support what the documentation says."
Though it is possible to change gender markers on identification in Michigan currently, with an LGBTQ-supportive Secretary of State it's possible that this process may become more streamlined. After all, during her campaign Benson promised to provide 30-minute wait times, to expand online services, ban fee increases and provide same-day voter registration presented on this year's ballot Proposal 3.
Additionally, Benson supports Proposal 2 which will use a 13-member appointed commission of Republicans, Democrats and independents to prevent gerrymandering.
Benson was the CEO of the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality, was the former dean of Wayne State University Law School and the co-founder of Military Spouses of Michigan. Benson also serves as a board member of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Democrat Jocelyn Benson Elected Secretary of State
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