Supreme Court Petition Challenges Michigan's Voter Roll Maintenance

What's happening

Supreme Court Petition Challenges Michigan's Voter Roll Maintenance — Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is facing a lawsuit filed by the Michigan GOP and the Republican National Committee, alleging that her directive allowing individuals who have never resided in Michigan to vote violates the state’s constitution and election law. The lawsuit, obtained exclusively by The Federalist, challenges Benson's guidance regarding overseas voters under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act. Explainer As A Former DC Cop, The Federal Takeover Was The Right Move The complaint seeks to block Benson's directive and obtain a declaratory judgment stating that her guidance contradicts existing law. This lawsuit is a renewed effort following a similar case filed shortly before the 2024 presidential election, which was dismissed by Judge Sima Patel of the state’s Court of Claims. Patel, appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, cited the laches doctrine, arguing that the Republicans were attempting to disenfranchise voters too close to the election. The current lawsuit claims that Benson's guidance unlawfully waives residency requirements, allowing U.S. citizens who have never lived in the country to vote in Michigan elections. According to the complaint, Benson's directive states that a U.S. citizen with a parent or spouse last domiciled in Michigan is eligible to vote, provided they have not registered in another state. The plaintiffs argue that this interpretation is an illegal expansion of for overseas citizens. Supreme Court decision allowing illegal aliens access to public schools have resurfaced in Charlotte, North Carolina, this week.

What's at stake

Following the Department of Homeland Security's announcement of enforcement operations in the city, local reports indicated a significant spike in student absences. Approximately 30,000 students were reported absent from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) on Monday, a figure that more than doubles the average daily absences from the previous week. Explainer Supreme Court Questions Legality of Trump's Emergency Tariffs Initial reports cited 20,935 absences, but this number was later revised. Of the reported absences, 28,136 were categorized as unexcused, according to Queen City News. The following day, CMS recorded another 25,697 absences, with 23,770 unexcused. While officials have not confirmed a direct link between the absences and immigration operations, similar trends were noted in Chicago after ICE initiated a sweep there. CMS has a substantial Hispanic student population, with over 44,000 students identified as Hispanic. Census Bureau data from 2023 indicates that 11 percent of North Carolina's K-12 students have at least one undocumented parent. On Thursday, 22 GOP members of the Michigan House and Senate sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi requesting that the Department of Justice (DOJ) send election monitors to oversee Michigan’s 2026 primary and general elections.

The lawmakers expressed concern over the state's chief election official, Democrat Jocelyn Benson, who is running for governor and will oversee her own election results. Explainer Supreme Court Petition Challenges Michigan's Voter Roll Maintenance The GOP lawmakers highlighted the potential conflict of interest, stating, "Secretary Benson will be administering an election in which she has a direct personal stake in the outcome. Such a situation risks compromising the impartiality required for fair election oversight and demands external federal scrutiny to maintain public trust." They referenced recent DOJ monitoring efforts in California and for the Nov. Benson contends that she is protecting citizens' private information from federal access. The lack of transparency in has raised alarms, particularly after a lawsuit from the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF) claimed that Benson failed to maintain accurate voter registration lists. A public high school in Orange County, Florida, faced backlash after airing a weekly "Witchy Wednesday" video series that included instructions on casting spells and performing rituals. Following intervention from the legal group Liberty Counsel, which requested equal time for Christian instruction, the school canceled the series. This incident raises broader questions about the role of spirituality in public education and the implications of introducing practices rooted in witchcraft to students. Explainer Supreme Court Questions Legality of Trump's Emergency Tariffs The First Amendment's establishment clause prohibits government endorsement of religion, yet some public schools have been accused of allowing pagan spirituality while restricting Christian expressions. 4 election as a precedent for their request. Benson has faced criticism for her refusal to share Michigan’s statewide voter registration lists with federal authorities. 25 to obtain these records from Michigan and four other Democrat-led states, arguing that it hinders enforcement of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). What to watch next is whether new filings, agency actions, votes, or court decisions change the timeline—and how officials respond in the weeks ahead.

Why it matters

The coverage highlights: Supreme Court Allows Texas to Implement New Congressional Map. The coverage highlights: Supreme Court Defers Decision on Trump's Firing of Library of Congress Official. The coverage highlights: Exclusive: Lawsuit Claims Leftist Benson Is Breaking Election Law. The coverage highlights: Pro-Life Center Takes Its Fight Against Dem Lawfare To SCOTUS. The coverage highlights: It's Past Time Red States Work To Topple SCOTUS' 'Plyler' Ruling. The coverage highlights: Trump Has The Power To Impose Tariffs Via IEEPA.

Key facts & context

2025-12-05: Supreme Court Allows Texas to Implement New Congressional Map. 2025-11-26: Supreme Court Defers Decision on Trump's Firing of Library of Congress Official. 2025-11-21: Exclusive: Lawsuit Claims Leftist Benson Is Breaking Election Law. 2025-11-21: Pro-Life Center Takes Its Fight Against Dem Lawfare To SCOTUS. 2025-11-20: It's Past Time Red States Work To Topple SCOTUS' 'Plyler' Ruling. 2025-11-17: Trump Has The Power To Impose Tariffs Via IEEPA. 2025-11-14: Michigan GOP Urges DOJ To Monitor 2026 Election. 2025-10-22: Public Schools Can't Prohibit Prayer And Promote Witchcraft. 2025-10-09: Supreme Court Petition Challenges Michigan's Voter Roll Maintenance. 2025-09-11: Voter Intimidation Case Highlights Concerns Over Political Violence.

Timeline & key developments

2025-12-05: Supreme Court Allows Texas to Implement New Congressional Map. 2025-11-26: Supreme Court Defers Decision on Trump's Firing of Library of Congress Official. 2025-11-21: Exclusive: Lawsuit Claims Leftist Benson Is Breaking Election Law. 2025-11-21: Pro-Life Center Takes Its Fight Against Dem Lawfare To SCOTUS. 2025-11-20: It's Past Time Red States Work To Topple SCOTUS' 'Plyler' Ruling. 2025-11-17: Trump Has The Power To Impose Tariffs Via IEEPA. 2025-11-14: Michigan GOP Urges DOJ To Monitor 2026 Election. 2025-10-22: Public Schools Can't Prohibit Prayer And Promote Witchcraft. 2025-10-09: Supreme Court Petition Challenges Michigan's Voter Roll Maintenance.

Primary sources

• National Voter Registration Act 1993 Nvra — justice.gov
• opn.ca6.uscourts.gov PDF
• Federal Court Affirms That Michigans Work To Remove Deceased Voters From State Rolls Is — michigan.gov

Further reading & references