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.”
