On Wednesday, the Republican National Committee (RNC) initiated a legal challenge against Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D). Court filings accuse Benson of neglecting her responsibility to maintain the state’s voter rolls in accordance with federal law.
“Election integrity starts with clean voter rolls, and that’s why the National Voter Registration Act requires state officials to keep their rolls accurate and up-to-date,” newly-elected RNC co-chair Michael Whatley said in a statement. He added: “Jocelyn Benson has failed to follow the NVRA, leaving Michigan with inflated and inaccurate voter rolls ahead of the 2024 election.”
Analysis conducted by the RNC indicates inflated voter roll counts in 76 out of 83 of Michigan’s counties. According to the RNC’s filing, the discrepancy in voter roll numbers proves that Michigan is not in compliance with the federal National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). The federal election law requires state election officials to maintain updated and accurate voter rolls for federal elections.
The RNC’s lawsuit is seeking relief in the form of a court order directing Michigan election officials to establish and apply a comprehensive and effective voter list maintenance program. The program, they argue, will serve to bring Michigan into compliance with federal election law and reduce incidents of voter fraud. In addition to Benson, Michigan Bureau of Elections Director Jonathan Brater is listed as a co-defendant in the case.
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