RNC Files Lawsuit Against Michigan Secretary of State Over Voting Rules

The Republican National Committee (RNC) has initiated legal action against Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, alleging that her recent directive regarding voter eligibility violates both state and constitutional laws. Filed on November 18, 2024, the lawsuit claims that Benson’s policy permits individuals with connections to Michigan, but who do not reside in the state, to participate in elections.

Benson’s directive, enacted in 2024, allows U.S. citizens without Michigan residency—if they have a parent, spouse, or legal guardian who last lived in the state—to vote. This guidance has sparked considerable controversy, as the RNC contends that it enables individuals who have never lived in Michigan to register and vote in state, local, and federal elections. The lawsuit argues that this practice undermines the integrity of Michigan’s electoral process and violates Article 2 of the Michigan Constitution, which stipulates that voters must reside in the state for at least six months prior to casting a ballot.

The complaint asserts, “Michigan election officials have registered persons to vote who have never resided in Michigan and have allowed them to vote in Michigan’s elections.” It continues, emphasizing that Benson’s guidance is both “unconstitutional and unlawful.”

Additionally, the lawsuit seeks to clarify whether election clerks and inspectors are obligated to follow the Secretary’s instructions. The RNC, along with its Michigan affiliate, aims to ensure that legislative powers are preserved and that election laws are enacted to maintain the integrity of the voting process. The suit states, “Simply, she has taken the Legislature’s power and used it to thwart them from fulfilling their duty to ‘enact laws … to preserve the purity of elections.’”

This legal challenge against Benson is not the first of its kind. A similar lawsuit was lodged in October 2024, prior to the presidential election, by the same coalition of plaintiffs. That case also claimed that Benson’s guidance violated the state’s constitutional requirements. In response, Benson, who was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, denied the allegations, arguing that the timing of the complaint was inappropriate given the proximity to the election.

The implications of this lawsuit are significant for Michigan’s electoral landscape. If the court upholds the RNC’s claims, it could lead to a substantial rollback of voter eligibility rules, potentially affecting many individuals currently registered under Benson’s directive.

As the legal proceedings unfold, both the RNC and the Michigan GOP await further clarification from the court regarding the legitimacy of Benson’s voter registration policies. This case highlights the ongoing national debate around election integrity and the balance between access and security in the electoral process.