State of Michigan

Michigan Voter Roll Maintenance Challenge (RNC)

Republican National Committee v. Benson

Lawsuit filed by the Republican National Committee (RNC) and two Republican voters against Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) and Michigan Board of Elections Director Jonathan Brater challenging the state’s voter roll maintenance. The plaintiffs allege that at least 53 counties across the state have more active registered voters than adults over the age of 18, and an additional 23 counties have active voter registration rates that exceed 90% of adults over 18. The plaintiffs allege that “the only explanation for these discrepancies is substandard list maintenance,” and claim that the state’s board of elections is not making a reasonable effort to remove ineligible or outdated voter registrations. The plaintiffs argue that the state’s failure to maintain accurate voter rolls violates Section 8 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), and ask the court to order the board to implement a new registration list maintenance program that ensures ineligible voters are removed from voter rolls. 

On Oct. 22, 2024, the court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss. Michigan’s current voter roll maintenance practices will remain in place.

STATUS: On Nov. 8, 2024, the RNC appealed the dismissal of its lawsuit to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Case Documents

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