GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Just a couple hours before the vice-presidential debate, a bipartisan town hall on Michigan elections featuring former members of Congress was held at the Gerald R. Ford Museum Tuesday evening. The panelists discussed important issues voters need to know about this election season.
"I think there's ample amount of skepticism but I think it's going to take some cycles going forward to kind of work that out," said Former Michigan congressman, Republican Mike Bishop.
Bishop told 13 ON YOUR SIDE he traveled all the way from the east side of the state for the town hall because it was important to him to be in Grand Rapids Tuesday night. He said election integrity was one of the main things he hoped to discuss at the meeting.
"I think now, through the election, it's going to be very important for us to have this discussion. You know, we just want to bring calm, take down the temperature. This is a bipartisan group that wants to discuss, in a bipartisan way, how we make our elections free, fair and trustworthy," said Bishop.
The panel also discussed topics like election security, voter mistrust and political violence. Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson said safety is the biggest concern this election season.
"In a really tragic era of political violence that we find ourselves that is at the same time an era of misinformation. There's a direct line between the misinformation and about our elections and threats to election officials that and our families and our staff," said Benson.
The panel took questions from attendees ranging from campaign tactics, to voter fraud and even fact-checking presidential candidates after debates. Former United States Representative, Democrat Mark Shauer said it's important now more than ever to be prepared and do your research before you vote.
"The public looks up to elected officials as elites and other elites like the media to shape their opinions, and so current and former lawmakers and candidates for that matter, need to lead," said Shauer.