May 27, 2021
Skyrocketing Wait Times At The SOS Force Benson To Testify In Front Of House Oversight Committee
LANSING, Mich., May 27, 2021 – Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is set to testify today in front of the House Oversight Committee, to answer for her office’s negligence over the past year. Under Benson’s failed leadership, Michigan has seen wait times at the SOS office skyrocket, with many Michiganders unable to find appointments for months. This is due in large part to Benson’s yearlong policy of appointment-only visits, eliminating the previous system that provided a more reliable and accessible Secretary of State.
The long wait times come after Benson pledged nearly four years ago during her campaign to guarantee SOS appointments in 30 minutes or less. A report by WXYZ earlier this month highlighted the continuing problems, with the SOS website crashing and no available appointments until August of 2021. Earlier this month Benson announced her intention to make the broken appointment-only system permanent.
“For over a year Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has ignored calls to reverse her failed appointment-only policy, which has caused unprecedented wait times for Michiganders,” said Eric Ventimiglia, executive director of Michigan Rising Action. Ventimiglia continued, “It remains to be seen what solutions, if any, Benson will be able to provide to the House Oversight Committee today. One thing is certain, Michiganders have heard enough excuses from Benson, and they deserve answers.”
In August of 2020, Michigan Rising Action highlighted the long wait times, but nearly a year later, the SOS debacle has only gotten worse.
Michigan Rising Action: “Michiganders wait months to visit their local Secretary of State’s office for services that require in-person appointments like first-time driver’s licenses or state ID cards, vehicle title transfers, and replacement licenses, among others.”