Uncovering Michigan’s Voter Roll Anomalies: Legal Disputes Arise

People voting in booths with American flag backdrop.

Michigan’s voter rolls are under scrutiny as legal battles unfold over potential discrepancies between registered voters and eligible residents.

At a Glance

  • Michigan reportedly has 8.4 million registered voters, exceeding the number of eligible residents
  • The Republican National Committee (RNC) has filed lawsuits challenging the accuracy of voter rolls
  • 78 out of 83 Michigan counties allegedly have more registered voters than eligible voting-age residents
  • Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson denies claims, arguing the lawsuits aim to undermine election integrity
  • Debate intensifies over voter roll maintenance and its impact on electoral processes

Michigan’s Voter Roll Discrepancies Spark Legal Action

The integrity of Michigan’s electoral system is facing challenges as reports emerge of significant discrepancies in the state’s voter rolls. According to recent data, Michigan has approximately 8.4 million registered voters, a number that surpasses the state’s voting-eligible population. This apparent over-registration has prompted the Republican National Committee (RNC) to take legal action, citing concerns about the potential for voter fraud and the misallocation of electoral resources.

The RNC’s lawsuit alleges that 53 counties in Michigan have voter registration rates of 100% or higher, suggesting inadequate maintenance of voter lists. This legal challenge is part of a broader national strategy by the RNC, which has filed election-related lawsuits in nearly half of the U.S. states, focusing on issues such as voter ID rules, mail ballots, and voter roll maintenance.

Widespread Concerns Across Michigan Counties

The voter roll discrepancies are not isolated to a few areas but appear to be a widespread issue across Michigan. Reports indicate that 78 out of 83 Michigan counties have more registered voters than eligible voting-age residents. This situation is particularly pronounced in some of the state’s largest counties. Wayne County, Michigan’s most populous county, reportedly has 1.4 million registered voters despite having only 1.3 million eligible residents. Similarly, Genessee County lists 351,000 registered voters, exceeding its eligible population of fewer than 300,000 residents.

“The RNC and its members are concerned that Defendants’ failure to comply with the NVRA’s voter-list maintenance obligations undermines the integrity of elections by increasing the opportunity for ineligible voters or voters intent on fraud to cast ballots.” – RNC’s lawsuit

These discrepancies raise questions about the accuracy of voter rolls and their potential impact on election integrity. The RNC argues that inflated voter lists could lead to various issues, including the misallocation of resources for voter outreach efforts and an increased risk of fraudulent voting.

Secretary of State Defends Michigan’s Electoral System

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, has strongly refuted the claims made by the RNC and is seeking to dismiss the lawsuit. Benson’s office maintains that they have been diligently working to clean up the voter rolls, removing 800,000 people since 2019 and planning to remove another 360,000 by 2025. They argue that the presence of inactive voters on the rolls is a normal part of the electoral process, as federal law requires these individuals to remain listed until they miss two consecutive federal elections.

“They’re claiming there’s a problem because one piece of data doesn’t match another piece of data. But the pieces of data they’re trying to match don’t measure the same thing. It’s like saying, ‘I just looked at the clock and it’s different from the temperature on my thermometer.'” – Justin Levitt

Benson’s office has acknowledged the presence of 606,800 inactive voters on the rolls, who will not be removed until 2027 unless they request removal or are confirmed deceased. These inactive voters include individuals who have moved, have undeliverable mail, or haven’t participated in recent elections. Despite the controversy, state officials emphasize that no evidence of voter fraud due to improper voting has been found, and safeguards like ballot signature matching are in place to prevent such occurrences.

As the debate over Michigan’s voter rolls intensifies, it underscores the broader national discussion on election integrity and the challenges of maintaining accurate voter lists while ensuring all eligible voters have the opportunity to participate in the democratic process. With the 2024 elections on the horizon, the resolution of these legal challenges and the ongoing efforts to update voter rolls will be crucial in maintaining public trust in Michigan’s electoral system.

Sources:

  1. A crush of lawsuits over voting in multiple states is creating a shadow war for the 2024 election
  2. Michigan’s inflated voter rolls draw scrutiny as election looms
  3. Michigan Voter Rolls Claim 8.4M Voters, When There Are Less Than 8M Eligible Residents