Former state senator tells House panel gaps in records and audits undermine confidence in Michigan elections

Patrick Kolbeck, a former Michigan state senator, told the House Committee on Election Integrity that ‘‘an accurate election conducted with integrity would reveal consistency between’’ precinct-level records and statewide totals and urged lawmakers to seek more detailed records and stronger audit standards. Kolbeck spoke at the committee hearing after Chair Smith introduced him to discuss election transparency.

Kolbeck outlined what he called the ‘‘key election records’’ voters need to trust results: the number of voters and ballots cast by precinct and voting method; poll books and voter lists; ballot images and cast vote records; and the official tabulated results. ‘‘Trustworthy, precinct-level data is what is needed in order to trust the integrity of our election systems,’’ he said.

He cited several examples he said show potential…