Michigan Poll Watcher Regulations Challenge
RNC v. Benson
An anti-voting lawsuit seeking to invalidate state regulations governing poll watchers in Michigan.
Background
The Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Michigan Republican Party filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) and Director of Elections Jonathan Brater, challenging newly adopted state regulations governing election challengers. According to the lawsuit, Michigan law grants political parties the right to appoint election challengers and gives those challengers the ability to observe election procedures, challenge voters they believe are ineligible, and raise concerns about improper election administration. The plaintiffs allege that the state’s new “Challenger Regulations” unlawfully restrict those rights by allowing election officials to reduce the number of challengers at a polling place and by restricting challengers’ rights to observe certain election processes. They are asking the court to declare the new regulations unlawful and block state election officials from enforcing them.
Why It Matters
The RNC is trying to make it easier to contest the eligibility of voters and undermine confidence in election results in key battleground states ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Latest Updates
- June 23, 2026: Republicans filed their complaint.