The RNC is taking legal action against Jocelyn Benson, Michigan's Secretary of State, in order to prompt the state to inspect its voter registration lists.
The group claims that the state has not met the National Voter Registration Act's (NVRA) mandate for keeping voter registration lists accurate.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, argues that 53 of Michigan’s 83 counties have more registered voters than voting-age adults. In addition, 23 counties have voter registration rates exceeding 90 percent of adult citizens over 18, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit points out that Michigan has previously failed to comply with NVRA regulations, referencing a 2020 lawsuit against Michigan election officials which was subsequently dismissed.
The RNC's legal action comes shortly after supporters of former President Trump assumed leadership roles and immediately after the party confirmed confirmed Trump as the GOP nominee for the 2024 election.
Michigan, a crucial swing state, voted for President Biden in the 2020 election. Despite Trump's efforts to prevent officials from certifying the results, Biden secured victory by 154,000 votes.
Under the NVRA, states are mandated to carry out a voter registration list maintenance program that makes a reasonable effort to remove ineligible voters due to death or relocation out of the state or jurisdiction. It also safeguards voters from being removed if they haven't voted in years.
The maintenance program must be in line with the Voting Rights Act, as stated by the Department of Justice.
The Hill contacted Benson for comment, and in a statement given to NBC News , she mentioned that Michigan has done more in the last five years than in the previous two decades to accurately eliminate people from the list.
According to the outlet, over 700,000 individuals have been removed since she took office, and more will be if they don't vote in the upcoming general election.
According to Benson, the lawsuit is essentially a public relations campaign disguised as a meritless lawsuit filled with unfounded accusations, attempting to erode people's confidence in the security of the elections. She stated to NBC News: "Shame on anyone who abuses the legal process to sow seeds of doubt in our democracy."
