Michigan's Voter Rolls Surpass Eligible Resident Count

Michigan's Voter Rolls Exceed Population

Michigan's voter rolls reportedly boast a staggering 8.4 million registered voters, despite the state's eligible population being almost half a million less. This discrepancy has raised eyebrows, considering the state's pivotal role as a swing state.

Republican National Committee's Lawsuit

The Republican National Committee (RNC) had previously sued the state of Michigan over these inflated voter rolls and other issues related to election integrity. However, Michigan's Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, dismissed these concerns. In a statement made on Wednesday, she suggested without evidence that these lawsuits were an attempt to overturn election results if they were not favorable.

Concerns Over Ineligible Voters

The RNC's lawsuit expresses concern that the failure to comply with the National Voter Registration Act's (NVRA) voter-list maintenance obligations undermines the integrity of elections. The lawsuit suggests that this could increase the opportunity for ineligible voters or those intending to commit fraud to cast ballots. Angela Benander, a spokeswoman for Benson’s office, acknowledged that at least 606,800 inactive voters are currently on the rolls. These will not be purged until 2027. Ineligible voters include those who have moved to another state, those who have mail returned from their address as “undeliverable,” and voters who do not vote in two or more consecutive federal elections.

Impact on RNC's Resources

The RNC's lawsuit further explains that the organization relies on registration lists to estimate voter turnout. This information informs the number of staff needed in a given jurisdiction, the number of volunteers needed to contact voters, and the RNC's budget for paid voter contacts. If the voter registration lists include names of voters who should no longer be on the list, the RNC may end up misallocating its resources or overspending on mailers, door-knocking, and other voter contact efforts.

More Registered Voters Than Residents

Out of Michigan's 83 counties, 78 reportedly have more registered voters than residents of voting age. The largest county in the state, Wayne County, home to Detroit, has only 1.3 million residents of voting age but 1.4 million registered voters, according to U.S. Census data. Genessee County is another example, with 351,000 registered voters but less than 300,000 residents.

Bottom Line

This situation raises serious questions about the integrity of voter registration processes and the potential for election fraud. It also highlights the importance of accurate voter rolls for effective resource allocation by political parties. What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you think the inflated voter rolls in Michigan could impact the integrity of elections? Share your views and this article with your friends. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.