Michigan GOP lawmakers petition SCOTUS to strike down voter-approved election laws
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Nearly a dozen Republican lawmakers in Michigan are petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to declare several voter-approved election laws unconstitutional.
The that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson violated their constitutional rights by enforcing laws passed through ballot proposals in 2018 and 2022. The measures include automatic voter registration, no-reason absentee voting and the creation of an independent commission to redraw legislative and congressional district boundaries.
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The lawmakers claim these laws violate the U.S. Constitution's Elections Clause, which states: 'The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof.'
'This case is about whether the people's representatives can speak on their behalf in response to blatant violations of the U.S. Constitution by state officials,' said William Wagner, co-counsel on the petition.
The petitioning legislators include state Sens. Jonathan Lindsey and Jim Runestad and Reps. Steve Carra, James DeSana, Joseph Fox, Neil Friske, Matt Maddock, Brad Paquette, Angela Rigas, Joshua Schriver and Rachelle Smit, all Republicans. Named as defendants are Whitmer, Benson and Jonathan Brater, director of the Michigan Bureau of Elections.
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Benson , stating, 'Michigan voters have a right to enact laws that reflect their values, and politicians have a duty to stand by the will of the voters. The idea that the time, place and manner of federal elections law-making is beyond the right of voters to self-determine is anti-democratic, and already multiple courts have reaffirmed this under law.'
A federal district court dismissed the lawmakers' initial lawsuit in 2023, citing a lack of standing. Now, they are appealing to the nation's highest court.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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