Sign In Subscribe
Politics October 20,2024 | Independence Journal Editorial Team

Detroit Accused Of Hiding Election Footage, Raising Concerns Over Election Integrity

Detroit is facing accusations of blocking transparency in its election process, with the Republican National Committee (RNC) filing a lawsuit claiming the city deleted critical surveillance footage from a ballot drop box. The footage was requested by Republicans seeking to monitor absentee ballot activity, but the city allegedly erased the video after asking for an extension to fulfill the request.

RNC Chair Michael Whatley criticized Detroit’s actions, calling the deletion “an assault on transparency” and pointing out how such behavior erodes trust in the election process. The lawsuit argues that the city’s decision to delete the footage violated Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by ignoring a legal obligation to retain records, especially with an ongoing request for the material.

The surveillance footage in question was from a drop box at Wayne County Community College, recorded during Michigan’s August 6 primary. The city acknowledged receiving the FOIA request but claimed the footage was automatically deleted after 30 days, citing the timeline for video retention. However, the RNC argues that its request was made 16 days before the footage’s deletion, meaning it should have been preserved.

According to the lawsuit, a 2019 Detroit executive order requires record retention when a FOIA request is made, even if the standard schedule allows for deletion. The RNC is seeking an injunction to prevent further deletion of election-related surveillance footage and wants the court to hold the Detroit Department of Elections accountable for violating transparency rules.

As election security and transparency remain critical issues, the RNC’s lawsuit is likely to fuel concerns about the integrity of the election process in Democrat-run cities. Critics argue that deleting surveillance footage raises red flags about what might be hidden from voters, potentially undermining faith in the electoral system.

Please leave your comment below!

*