Trump DOJ to monitor voting in Michigan’s primary elections

The Department of Justice (DOJ) plans to send election monitors to observe voting in three majority-Democratic cities in Michigan for the state’s upcoming primaries. 

In letters to officials in Lansing, East Lansing and Detroit — three of Michigan’s biggest Democratic strongholds — DOJ voting section deputy chief Timothy Mellett said the department is sending monitors to assess voting procedures amid reports of election issues in the 2024 election. 

It’s not unusual for DOJ to send election monitors during federal elections, but targeting Democratic cities in a key battleground state escalates fears about the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to interfere in this fall’s midterms.

In his letter to Lansing officials, obtained by Democracy Docket, Mellett claimed that the three Michigan cities were plagued by long lines, a shortage of provisional ballots, and concerns over Voter Accessible Terminals in the last election — and that monitors are necessary to ensure these problems don’t recur. Mellett also claimed there were issues with the state’s voter rolls in the last election. Mellett sent identical letters to officials in Detroit and East Lansing.

“We have been informed that during the November 5, 2024 election, contrary to [the Help America Vote Act’s] requirements, the computerized statewide voter registration list (qualified voter file) did not serve as the official voter registration list in the conduct of federal elections at all polling locations,” Mellett wrote. 

But Michigan officials and election officials pushed back against such claims, and said the department is spreading disinformation to justify interfering in the election process. 

“Michigan’s elections are transparent, accurate, accessible, and secure,” Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) said in a statement. “And while the US Department of Justice continues to pursue baseless allegations to confuse voters about those facts, we welcome anyone who wants to – in compliance with the law – observe Michigan’s elections process.”

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) added that numerous recent court rulings affirmed the constitutional right that gives states, not the federal government, the power to run elections.

“The law even provides parameters for federal and congressional poll monitors,” Nessel said in a statement. “We encourage everyone to participate and see for themselves how secure and fair our elections are – but make no mistake, my office stands ready to hold accountable those who attempt to unlawfully interfere with or intimidate Michigan election workers.”

Michigan has been one of the Trump administration’s main targets in its ongoing effort to investigate false claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election. President Donald Trump repeatedly claimed, without any evidence, that widespread voter fraud in the Great Lakes State caused him to lose to Joe Biden in 2020.

“In Detroit, there are FAR MORE VOTES THAN PEOPLE,” Trump said in 2020. “Nothing can be done to cure that giant scam. I win Michigan!” 

Nessel charged 16 fake electors in Michigan for their role in a scheme concocted by the Trump campaign to subvert the 2020 vote. Trump eventually granted a legally meaningless “pardon” of the electors, along with dozens of others, who helped him attempt to steal the election. 

But Trump’s DOJ has continued to pursue bogus election conspiracies. In April, DOJ civil rights chief Harmeet Dhillon demanded that Wayne County — home to Detroit — turn over its ballots from the 2024 election to investigate claims of voter fraud. Both Nessel and Benson refused Dhillon’s demand, insisting that Michigan’s elections are safe and secure. 

In a joint statement, Lansing Mayor Andy Schor (D) and City Clerk Chris Swope (D) reiterated that no fraud or other election issues have occurred in their city.

“Voting in Lansing is safe and secure, and there has never been a history or any indication of issues in our election process,” the city officials said. “But let’s be clear, Lansing voters will not be harassed or intimidated by election monitors from either the federal government or any other group.”