The campaign claims top Michigan Democrats are improperly allowing state and federal agencies to register voters this year without proper permission.
LANSING, Mich. (WJRT) – The Trump campaign has filed a lawsuit against top Michigan Democrat officials over new voter registration rules.
The lawsuit filed Monday in U.S. District Court claims Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson improperly allowed the Michigan Department of Veterans Affairs and Small Business Administration to register voters.
The campaign says Michigan passed a law that set a date of Jan. 10, 1995, for the governor’s office to designate state agencies as able to register new voters. The VA and Small Business Administration were not on that list.
However, Whitmer issued an executive directive on Dec. 18, 2023, that allowed more state and federal agencies to register voters in Michigan, including the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Benson reached an agreement with the Small Business Administration in March, allowing the agency’s offices in Michigan to register voters.
The campaign says both additions to the state’s list of voter registration agencies was improper because the Michigan Legislature did not approve the changes.
Trump’s lawsuit is seeking a court order that declaring that the addition of voter registration agencies violates state and federal laws.
The campaign wants a court order requiring Michigan’s executive branch to seek approval from lawmakers before enrolling more agencies, along with a requirement for the VA and Small Business Administration to halt voter registration efforts.
Angela Benander, a spokeswoman for the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office, called the lawsuit “unfortunate,” “divisive” and “partisan” in a statement issued Monday afternoon.
“Making it easier for veterans and small business owners in Michigan to register to vote should not be controversial,” she said. “We will review this and any other litigation that comes our way but remain committed to ensuring that every Michigan voter has the tools and resources they need to participate in every election.”
