The Republican National Committee (RNC) has taken legal action against Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson over her absentee ballot certification process. The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, claims that Benson’s guidelines could lead to improper handling of absentee ballots, putting election integrity at risk in the crucial swing state.
At issue is Benson’s February 2024 guidance for processing absentee ballots. The RNC alleges that her rules fail to provide sufficient verification procedures, specifically when it comes to ensuring that signatures on absentee ballots match those on file. According to Michigan law, absentee ballots without proper verification must be rejected, but the RNC argues that Benson’s policies fall short of this requirement.
RNC Chairman Michael Whatley voiced his concerns, stating that Benson’s rules would “undermine protections for absentee voters.” The lawsuit aims to block the implementation of these guidelines ahead of the November election, ensuring that clerks follow state law for verifying absentee ballots.
In the complaint, the RNC points to an example from the August 2024 primary, where thousands of absentee ballots in Warren, Michigan, were allegedly counted without the proper signature verification. The Republican Party believes that such oversights could lead to widespread issues in the upcoming presidential election.
Michigan, a key swing state, is expected to play a pivotal role in determining the 2024 election outcome. The RNC’s lawsuit is part of a broader legal strategy aimed at securing election integrity in states across the country.
