RNC Sues Michigan Over Non-Resident Voting
The Republican National Committee (RNC) has filed a lawsuit against Michigan’s Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, claiming that current state election laws violate the state constitution by permitting individuals who do not live in Michigan to cast votes in its elections.
This lawsuit primarily addresses the voting rights of certain groups, specifically “spouses of military and overseas Michigan voters, and children born to Michigan residents who currently reside elsewhere.” According to the RNC’s legal team, provisions in the state’s absentee voting laws allow these individuals to participate in elections without having ever lived in Michigan.
The RNC argues that this practice is unconstitutional. The state constitution mandates that voters must have resided in Michigan for at least six months, although there are allowances for former residents, it suggests. On November 21st, RNC Chairman Joe Gruters remarked on the suit, insisting that people who have never lived in Michigan shouldn’t influence its elections. He criticized Benson for what he perceives as a disregard for the state’s constitution.
Gruters stated, “Individuals who have never lived in the United States, let alone Michigan, should not have a say in Michigan elections.” He also claimed that the Secretary of State is ignoring the constitutional requirement to ensure that only valid votes are counted.
The RNC’s background notes refer to the Michigan Constitution, which specifies that only residents of the state can vote in its elections. They further contend that the election laws underscore this stipulation, alleging that Benson’s guidance contradicts what’s outlined in both the Constitution and state law.
The RNC added that Benson’s guidance erroneously permits “U.S. citizens who have never resided in the United States” to vote in Michigan elections, as long as their parents or spouses are linked to Michigan. They’ve highlighted previous legal victories in North Carolina, where non-resident voting was deemed unconstitutional, which they argue sets a relevant precedent.
In response, a spokesperson for Benson dismissed the RNC’s actions as an unfounded attempt to create distrust in the electoral process. Angela Benander, the spokesperson, accused the RNC of aiming to undermine the voting rights of American citizens living abroad, including military families, stating that the lawsuit is not rooted in a legitimate legal concern but rather in an effort to instill doubt regarding Michigan’s fair election practices.
