RNC and Michigan GOP Sue Secretary of State Benson Again Over Alleged Election Law Violations

The lawsuit accuses Benson of disregarding Michigan’s ballot number matching requirement, raising ongoing concerns about election integrity.

LANSING, Mich. — The Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Michigan Republican Party (MIGOP) have filed yet another lawsuit against Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, alleging that she failed to enforce state laws requiring ballot number matching. The lawsuit, filed on September 24, 2024, claims that Benson’s guidance to local clerks and election inspectors contravenes established regulations designed to ensure the integrity of Michigan’s elections.

The disputed law mandates that the number on an absentee ballot’s stub must match the numbers recorded in the poll book and the ballot return envelope. According to the plaintiffs, this requirement is crucial for verifying that the person returning the ballot is the one to whom it was issued, thereby preventing potential fraud. The RNC asserts that Benson’s guidance allowed ballots without matching numbers to be processed and counted, undermining the credibility of the vote.

Ensuring Integrity or Suppressing Votes?

RNC Chairman Michael Whatley criticized Benson’s actions, saying, “Secretary Benson continues to expose Michigan’s elections to cheating and fraud, forcing Republicans to file suit again to protect the vote for Michiganders. We will continue our efforts to make it easy to vote and hard to cheat in Michigan — and around the country — through November 5.”

The lawsuit follows a similar legal challenge earlier this year in which the RNC accused Benson of not properly verifying absentee ballots. MIGOP Chairman Pete Hoekstra emphasized the party’s commitment to ensuring secure elections, stating, “Suing our Secretary of State to enforce the law she swore an oath to uphold is becoming commonplace in Michigan. Ballot number matching is a law on the books because it’s a simple safeguard to protect Michiganders’ fundamental right to vote.”

The Broader Context: Election Integrity vs. Accessibility

This latest legal battle is part of a broader national debate over election laws and the balance between preventing voter fraud and ensuring access to the ballot box. Republicans argue that stricter measures, such as ballot number matching, are necessary to protect against potential fraud. Critics, however, contend that such rules could disenfranchise voters by creating additional barriers to casting absentee ballots, especially for those who may not realize their ballot has been flagged for discrepancies.

Benson, who has been a vocal advocate for expanding voter access and making elections more inclusive, has faced repeated legal challenges from GOP groups. Her office has argued that overly strict enforcement of technicalities like ballot stub numbers could lead to lawful votes being discarded unnecessarily, impacting voter confidence and participation.

What’s Next for Michigan Voters?

With the November election fast approaching, the legal outcome of this case could have significant implications for how absentee ballots are handled in Michigan. The stakes are high, as absentee voting has become increasingly popular in recent years, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the convenience it offers voters.

If the court rules in favor of the RNC and MIGOP, local clerks may need to reject absentee ballots with mismatched or missing stub numbers, potentially leading to thousands of ballots being challenged or discarded. On the other hand, a ruling in Benson’s favor would uphold her current guidance, allowing these ballots to be counted and likely increasing overall voter participation.

A Continuing Legal Battle

This lawsuit is just the latest in a series of legal confrontations between Benson and Michigan’s Republican leadership over election rules and procedures. As both sides gear up for the upcoming election, the outcome of this case—and others like it—will likely shape the future of election administration in Michigan and could set precedents for similar disputes nationwide.

For now, voters are left in a state of uncertainty, wondering how the rules governing their ballots may change just weeks before Election Day. As the legal battles play out, the focus remains on ensuring that every valid vote is counted while upholding the integrity of Michigan’s electoral process.

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