League of Women Voters Files to Intervene in Voter Purge Suit Against State of Michigan
The Republican National Committee filed suit against Michigan, falsely claiming that the state isn’t maintaining its voter rolls to federal standards.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Late yesterday, the League of Women Voters of Michigan filed a motion to intervene in Republican National Committee v. Benson, a lawsuit seeking to compel more aggressive purges of Michigan’s voter rolls based on unsubstantiated and flawed data. The League, represented by the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, argues that plaintiffs seek to apply an unreasonable standard for voter list maintenance and that eligible voters will likely be removed from the rolls if the state complies with plaintiffs’ request.
“Inaccurate voter purges undermine the very foundation of our democracy, disenfranchising voters, especially voters of color," said Denise Hartsough, Co-President of the League of Women Voters of Michigan. “Registered Michigan voters deserve to have equal access to the ballot without disruption. The League of Women Voters of Michigan will continue to fight to protect all eligible voters.”
“This case is a blatant attempt to disenfranchise eligible voters, strip away the voice of the people, and threaten access to our electoral system,” said Celina Stewart, Chief Counsel, Senior Director of Advocacy and Litigation of the League of Women Voters. “Unfortunately, we are seeing similar legal efforts to undermine elections around the country, and the League will continue to step in to ensure that every voice is heard in this election and that voter rolls are protected from partisan influence."
Over the last four years, Michigan’s voter rolls have been subject to similar lawsuits, such as Daunt v. Benson, PILF v. Winfrey, and PILF v. Benson — all of which failed.
“Plaintiffs’ claims are baseless and dangerous,” said Eliza Sweren-Becker, senior counsel in the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center. “This is just another in a string of meritless lawsuits trying to cast doubt on ordinary election administration. If granted, the plaintiffs’ wish for more aggressive purges would put eligible voters’ registrations at risk. That’s unacceptable.”
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The Latest from the League
A federal judge granted a motion to intervene to the League of Women Voters of Michigan and Detroit in a case which seeks to force the City of Detroit to conduct an aggressive purge of their voter registration rolls.
Today, a federal judge permitted LWV of Michigan and five local Leagues to intervene in support of the State in Daunt v. Benson, a federal lawsuit concerning voter purges.
This past Election day, Michigan voters approved Proposals 2 and 3, creating an independent redistricting commission and expanding access to the polls.
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