The Republican National Committee’s election integrity team cautioned Michigan poll workers against violating state law after reports that some voters were wrongly told they could not split their tickets.
In a letter to county clerks, the RNC’s legal team said the Michigan Constitution allows voters to choose a straight-party option and still select individual candidates from another party elsewhere on the ballot.
RNC attorneys Luke Bunting and James Hasson said they had received credible reports from across the state that election inspectors were telling voters otherwise. They urged clerks to ensure the election is conducted in line with state law, adding that the secretary of state had been notified and had taken steps to address the issue.
The RNC said it was tracking the reports and was prepared to act to protect voters’ ability to choose their preferred candidates.
Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race on Sunday, rather than Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed. Stevens also pointed to El-Sayed’s close relationship with streamer Hasan Piker and his views on Israel and Jewish Americans.
Several prominent Black and Jewish Democrats have also said they plan to vote for Rogers.
Detroit City Councilwoman Mary Waters told a newspaper on Monday that voters who support Rogers should feel free to cast a ballot for him, even if they otherwise vote for Democrats.
Rogers faces a difficult path: Michigan has not elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate since 1994.
