Jocelyn Benson

Jocelyn Benson is an American politician and academic who has served as the Secretary of State of Michigan since 2019. She is a member of the Democratic Party and has worked with various organizations, including the Southern Poverty Law Center and the National Association of Secretaries of State. Benson has also been involved with the Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, and has written for publications such as the Detroit Free Press and The Huffington Post. Her work has been recognized by organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and the League of Women Voters.

● Early Life and Education

Jocelyn Benson was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Lansing, Michigan. She attended Harvard University, where she earned a degree in Sociology and worked with the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review. Benson also studied at Oxford University, where she was a Marshall Scholar and earned a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. She later earned a law degree from Harvard Law School, where she was a member of the Harvard Law Review and worked with the National Lawyers Guild. Benson's education has been influenced by scholars such as Derrick Bell and Lani Guinier, and she has been involved with organizations like the American Bar Association and the National Bar Association.

● Career

Before entering politics, Jocelyn Benson worked as a law clerk for Judge Damon Keith of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. She also worked as a staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union and as a law professor at Wayne State University Law School. Benson has written several books, including State Secretaries of State: Guardians of the Democratic Process, which was published by Ashgate Publishing. Her work has been recognized by organizations like the National Association of Secretaries of State and the International Association of Clerks, Recorders, Election Officials and Treasurers. Benson has also been involved with the Michigan Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee.

● Secretary of State of Michigan

As Secretary of State of Michigan, Jocelyn Benson has worked to improve voter access and election security in the state. She has implemented policies such as automatic voter registration and online voter registration, and has worked to increase voter turnout in elections. Benson has also worked with organizations like the Bipartisan Policy Center and the National Association of Secretaries of State to improve election security and prevent voter suppression. Her work has been recognized by organizations like the League of Women Voters and the NAACP, and she has been involved with events like the National Association of Secretaries of State annual conference.

● Personal Life

Jocelyn Benson is married to Ryan Friedrichs, and they have one son together. She is a resident of Detroit, Michigan, and is involved with various community organizations, including the Detroit Regional Chamber and the United Way for Southeastern Michigan. Benson is also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and has been involved with the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Her personal life has been influenced by figures such as Shirley Chisholm and Barbara Jordan, and she has been recognized by organizations like the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame.

● Political Positions

Jocelyn Benson has taken positions on various issues, including voting rights, election security, and redistricting reform. She has worked with organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and the League of Women Voters to promote voting rights and prevent voter suppression. Benson has also been involved with efforts to improve election security, including the use of paper ballots and post-election audits. Her work has been recognized by organizations like the Brennan Center for Justice and the National Association of Secretaries of State, and she has been involved with events like the National Association of Secretaries of State annual conference and the Democratic National Convention. Benson has also been endorsed by organizations like the Planned Parenthood Action Fund and the Sierra Club, and has worked with figures such as Gretchen Whitmer and Debbie Stabenow.