A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Republican National Committee (RNC) that sought to compel Michigan to remove inactive voters from its rolls. The judge, a Biden appointee named Jane Beckering, ruled that the RNC failed to provide sufficient evidence of misconduct by Michigan election officials.
The lawsuit was based on claims that there were more registered voters than citizens in Michigan, a narrative that has been promoted by tech billionaire Elon Musk. However, Judge Beckering found that the RNC did not have standing to pursue the case and that their arguments were based on weak factual inferences.
Under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, states are required to make reasonable efforts to remove ineligible voters from their rolls while also ensuring that eligible voters are not wrongfully purged. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, oversees elections in the state and was named in the lawsuit.
Despite the RNC's claims, Judge Beckering noted that the party's proposed remedy would have contradicted the statutory mandate of the law. The RNC sought to force Michigan to ensure that ineligible registrants were not on the voter rolls, whereas the law actually mandates states to ensure that eligible applicants are registered to vote.
Both the RNC and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) have not yet commented on the ruling. The decision comes amidst a broader debate over the integrity of voter rolls in Michigan and highlights the importance of upholding election laws while protecting the rights of eligible voters.
