The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, alleging that she failed to provide full access to the state’s voter registration records as required by federal law. The case is part of a broader legal action targeting six states—California, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania—for not producing statewide voter registration lists upon request.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the importance of maintaining accurate voter rolls. “Clean voter rolls are the foundation of free and fair elections,” Bondi said in a statement from the DOJ. “Every state has a responsibility to ensure that voter registration records are accurate, accessible, and secure — states that don’t fulfill that obligation will see this Department of Justice in court.”
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon added: “States are required to safeguard American elections by complying with our federal elections laws. Clean voter rolls protect American citizens from voting fraud and abuse, and restore their confidence that their states’ elections are conducted properly, with integrity, and in compliance with the law.”
In response to the lawsuit, Secretary Benson defended her office’s actions. She stated: “It’s important for every Michigander to understand what’s at stake here – the U.S. Justice Department is trying to get us to turn over the private, personal information of more than 8 million state residents. That includes people’s driver’s license numbers, Social Security numbers, and other personally identifiable information.” She described the request as an “illegal and unconstitutional power grab,” adding: “I told them they can’t have it.”
Previous legal challenges have also focused on Michigan’s management of its voter rolls. In October 2024, a lawsuit brought by the Republican National Committee (RNC) alleged that Secretary Benson and Bureau of Elections Director Jonathan Brater did not meet requirements under Section 8 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), which mandates regular maintenance of clean and accurate voter registration records.
The suit claimed that at least 53 out of Michigan’s 83 counties had more active registered voters than adult citizens over 18 years old; another 23 counties had registrations exceeding 90% of eligible adults—a figure plaintiffs called “impossibly high.” However, U.S. District Judge Jane Beckering dismissed this case on grounds that Republicans lacked sufficient evidence and legal standing.
A unanimous panel from the Sixth Circuit Court later affirmed this dismissal.
Recently implemented rules have further drawn scrutiny toward Benson’s office. In September 2025, she informed local clerks about new procedures allowing overseas non-military voters to use online voting in general elections—a move criticized for potential security concerns.
Legal efforts challenging these changes were dismissed or denied largely due to procedural issues rather than substantive rulings on all merits.
The outcome of these ongoing disputes may influence how election transparency and data privacy are balanced ahead of future elections.
