News Summary

Michigan Republicans have filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for allegedly withholding requested election training materials. This legal action escalates tensions after Republicans secured control of the state’s House and intensified scrutiny of election practices. The conflict stems from previous subpoenas for election training resources amid ongoing allegations of election fraud. The lawsuit seeks to affirm the subpoena’s validity and prevent modifications to the requested materials as elections approach in 2025.

Lansing, Michigan – Michigan Republicans have initiated a lawsuit against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson over her alleged failure to release requested election training materials, intensifying ongoing disputes regarding election processes in the state. The legal action was filed on Thursday in Michigan’s Court of Claims.

The lawsuit follows a series of disputes that escalated after Republicans gained majority control of the state’s House of Representatives in 2024. Since securing control, statehouse Republicans have intensified scrutiny of election practices and Secretary Benson’s actions, particularly as she is a Democrat aiming for the governor’s office in the upcoming 2026 elections. Many Republican legislators have reiterated unfounded allegations of election fraud that surfaced during and after the contentious 2020 elections.

The conflict initially arose in April, when Republicans on the Oversight Committee issued a subpoena to Benson, demanding access to training materials relevant to local clerks and staff. These materials included resources from the Bureau of Elections’ online learning portal. While Benson’s office partially complied by releasing some documents, certain materials were withheld due to concerns regarding cybersecurity and physical security.

The Michigan Department of State further clarified that a review of the online portal was necessary to redact sensitive information before releasing the materials. Cheri Hardmon, spokesperson for Benson’s office, emphasized the importance of safeguarding sensitive election-related information from potential compromises.

House Republicans maintain that their primary objective is to guarantee that local clerks receive adequate training in accordance with Michigan law. In a party-line vote in May, the House decided to hold Benson in contempt for her perceived non-compliance with the subpoena, signaling heightened tensions between the two parties.

The original request for the training materials was spearheaded by GOP state Representative Rachelle Smit, who has publicly claimed that the 2020 election was stolen. Benson’s office has stated that over 3,300 pages of election documents have been made available to the House Republicans since the initiation of these requests.

The lawsuit seeks a declaratory judgment affirming the subpoena’s validity, alongside an injunction to prevent Benson or the Department of State from modifying the requested materials prior to submission. The urgency of the suit is compounded by the upcoming elections scheduled for November 4, 2025, and primaries set for August 5, 2025.

Republicans argue that every delay in accessing these training materials undermines their constitutional duty to oversee election regulations effectively. The conflict also highlights ongoing partisan tensions regarding election integrity in Michigan. The situation has become further complicated with recent articles of impeachment against Benson proposed by a Republican state representative, reflecting the overall contentious atmosphere surrounding the state’s electoral framework.

Notably, audits conducted, including one commissioned by a Republican-controlled Senate, have validated President Joe Biden’s victory in Michigan and revealed no evidence of widespread fraud. The continuing scrutiny from Republicans towards Benson showcases the enduring divisiveness in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election and foreshadows potential challenges ahead as election season approaches.