The RNC, Michigan GOP, and NRCC have won a major victory to protect mail ballots in Michigan. We discovered that Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson issued secret instructions to election officials to disregard signature verification requirements and instead “presume the validity” of signatures. We filed suit to protect these important safeguards. The court agreed with us, holding that the Secretary’s instructions are unlawful and that officials cannot presume the validity of signatures.
RNC Chairman Michael Whatley stated: “This RNC legal victory confirms the importance of mail ballot safeguards in Michigan’s Constitution. The Secretary of State’s covert attempts to sidestep these rules were rightfully rejected by the court, exposing that her attacks on election integrity have no substance. This win is just the latest development in our ongoing fight to promote fair and transparent elections in the Great Lakes State.”
NRCC Chairman Richard Hudson stated: "Michiganders deserve free and fair elections. It was a privilege to work alongside the RNC and Michigan GOP to achieve this victory for election integrity. This ruling makes it very clear: we cannot allow a rogue Secretary of State to issue guidance that conflicts with state law."
Michigan Republican Party Chairman Pete Hoekstra stated: “Secretary of State Benson cannot pick and choose which elections laws to enforce and which to ignore. The signatures of absentee ballot voters have to and should be verified – it's common sense. Michigan is crucial to the pathway to victory in November. We must protect and enforce all our election laws to maintain confidence in our system.”
Background:
Read the decision HERE.
