Jocelyn Benson

The U.S. Department of Justice has sent letters to election officials in multiple states, warning they could face criminal charges for allowing noncitizens to vote in federal elections. The letters emphasize federal laws requiring only eligible citizens to vote, though states already have procedures to prevent noncitizen voting, and officials in Arizona, Georgia, and Michigan have defended their compliance efforts.

The U.S. Department of Justice sent a letter to Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and other states, warning election officials could face criminal charges for knowingly counting noncitizen ballots. Fontes denounced the letter as politically motivated, emphasizing Arizona already requires proof of citizenship for voter registration.

The U.S. Department of Justice sent letters to election officials in multiple states, warning they could face criminal charges for knowingly allowing noncitizens to vote or remain on voter rolls. The letters, sent to Michigan and 13 other states, emphasize compliance with federal laws requiring only eligible U.S. citizens to vote in federal elections.

The US Department of Justice plans to send election monitors to Detroit, Lansing, and East Lansing for the August 4 primary. Michigan officials, including Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, have criticized the move as baseless accusations, asserting state control over elections. The DOJ's action follows increased scrutiny of Michigan elections amid claims by the Trump administration about election integrity.

Mallory McMorrow suspended her U.S. Senate campaign, leaving the Democratic primary between Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed. She expressed gratitude for supporters and pledged to back the eventual nominee while advocating for Democratic Party unity.

A nonpartisan voter guide for Detroit's 2026 elections provides key dates, contacts, and candidate information to help voters prepare. The guide, created by BridgeDetroit in partnership with Bridge Michigan and Detroit Votes, outlines primary and general election timelines, including absentee and early voting dates, and lists statewide and countywide candidates.

Multiple endorsements were announced for candidates in Michigan's political races, including U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens for Senate, Abdul El-Sayed for Senate, and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow for Senate. U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna will campaign with Will Lawrence in Michigan's 7th Congressional District on June 28.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore plans to deliver a speech on July Fourth from the Maryland State House in Annapolis to counter President Donald Trump's 'TRUMP RALLY' by contrasting patriotism and nationalism. Moore, a former Army captain and Afghanistan veteran, will emphasize a future-facing vision for America, avoiding direct confrontation with Trump while focusing on his 2026 reelection campaign.

A federal appeals court ruled the Department of Justice cannot access sensitive Michigan voter data, blocking President Trump's effort to obtain voter information from 30 states. The 2-1 decision cited conflicts between the Civil Rights Act and other federal laws like the National Voter Registration Act. The ruling centers on whether voter rolls are 'documents in possession' of election officials under the Civil Rights Act.

A federal appeals court ruled that the Department of Justice cannot access sensitive Michigan voter data, blocking President Trump’s push to obtain voter rolls for identifying noncitizen voters. The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals found that requiring Michigan to share the data would conflict with federal laws like the National Voter Registration Act and Help America Vote Act. The decision sets up a potential Supreme Court battle over state control of voter information.

The Sixth Circuit Court ruled 2-1 that the federal government lacks authority under Title III of the Civil Rights Act to demand unredacted Michigan voter records, as the state created the records rather than acquiring them. The dissent argued the records should be subject to federal demand. The case arose after the U.S. attorney general sought voter data to enforce laws against non-citizen voting.

A federal appeals court ruled the Department of Justice cannot access sensitive Michigan voter data, blocking President Trump's effort to obtain voter information. The 2-1 decision in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals highlighted potential conflicts between the Civil Rights Act and other federal voter registration laws. The ruling sets up a possible Supreme Court battle over state control of voter rolls ahead of the November midterm elections.

A federal appeals court ruled that the Department of Justice cannot access sensitive Michigan voter data under the 1960 Civil Rights Act, blocking a Trump administration effort to obtain voter information from 30 states. The 2-1 decision in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals cited potential conflicts with the National Voter Registration Act and Help America Vote Act, which govern voter roll maintenance.

A federal appeals court ruled that the Department of Justice cannot access sensitive voter data from Michigan, blocking President Trump's effort to obtain voter rolls for a noncitizen voter investigation. The 2-1 decision in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals could lead to a Supreme Court battle, as the court found the Civil Rights Act does not require states to provide such data, citing conflicts with other federal election laws.

A federal appeals court blocked the Department of Justice from accessing sensitive Michigan voter data, a move seen as a setback for President Donald Trump's efforts to obtain voter information from 30 states. The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that Michigan's voter registration database is not subject to the Civil Rights Act's provisions, citing potential conflicts with other federal laws like the National Voter Registration Act and Help America Vote Act. The decision could lead to a Supreme Court battle over state voter rolls ahead of the November midterm elections.

A federal appeals court ruled that Michigan can restrict access to personal voter information, rejecting the Trump administration's request for details like birth dates and Social Security numbers. The court found the Justice Department's cited law did not support the request, upholding a lower court's decision. The administration claims the information is needed to ensure compliance with federal election law, while Michigan argues it could lead to misuse, such as creating a national voter file or sharing with Homeland Security.

A federal appeals court ruled that Michigan can restrict access to personal voter information, including birth dates and driver's license numbers, rejecting the Trump administration's request. The decision aligns with similar rulings in multiple states, as the administration seeks voter data to address election law compliance concerns. At least 13 states have provided or pledged to provide voter registration lists to the government.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Perry Johnson stopped running an ad claiming 'President Trump did not endorse John James' after Trump officially backed James. Johnson criticized an ad from Mission Michigan promoting James as Trump's loyal candidate, but Trump's endorsement led to Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt dropping out and endorsing James. Other Republican candidates include Mike Cox, while Democrats Jocelyn Benson and Chris Swanson will compete in their primary.

President Donald Trump endorsed U.S. Rep. John James for Michigan governor in 2026, praising his background and campaign priorities. James thanked Trump for the endorsement, which he said would energize his campaign, while the Benson for Governor campaign criticized the move as aligning James with Trump's agenda.

President Donald Trump endorsed U.S. Rep. John James for Michigan governor via Truth Social. Trump's endorsement is expected to impact the race, with other candidates including Mike Cox, Perry Johnson, and Aric Nesbitt. James expressed enthusiasm for the endorsement, stating it would help 'Make Michigan Great Again.'

Six gubernatorial candidates are listed for Michigan's Aug. 4 primary ballot. The candidates include Jocelyn Benson, Mike Cox, John James, Aric Nesbitt, Perry Johnson, and Chris Swanson.

Teamsters endorse Sheriff Chris Swanson in his campaign against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield. Jocelyn Benson has received an endorsement from the UAW.

Michigan ranks third in the U.S. for youth voter turnout (58%) in 2024, driven by college campus initiatives and a pre-registration law allowing 16- to 17½-year-olds to register. The state set a record with 5.7 million voters in 2024, attributed to efforts like the Collegiate Student Advisory Task Force and improved election administration.

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield endorsed Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for governor, citing her plans to expand programs like Rx Kids, address property tax reform, and advance affordable housing. Sheffield emphasized the need for strong leadership in Lansing to support Detroit's priorities, including housing, healthcare, and auto insurance reform.

The United Auto Workers (UAW) endorsed Jocelyn Benson for Michigan governor and Abdul El-Sayed for U.S. Senate, solidifying their positions as frontrunners in the Democratic primary races. The endorsement follows a year of labor support and aims to position Benson and El-Sayed as leaders aligned with working-class interests.

The federal government is investigating potential noncitizen voters in Macomb County, Michigan, following a county clerk's discovery of 15 possible cases. The Department of Homeland Security sent a subpoena for voter data, which the county says it will cooperate with, as noncitizen voting has become a political issue for Republicans.

Multiple political candidates in Michigan received endorsements from labor unions and organizations. Jocelyn Benson, Chris Swanson, Abdul El-Sayed, and others gained support from groups like UAW, Teamsters, and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. Republican Perry Johnson also secured backing through a straw poll, and new candidates announced their campaigns.

Minor parties in Michigan are challenging the state's ban on fusion voting through two lawsuits filed in mid-May. The Michigan Common Sense Party and Michigan Libertarian Party argue the law, which prevents candidates from appearing under multiple party labels, is anti-competitive. The suits name Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Director of Elections Jonathan Brater as defendants.

John James and Perry Johnson will appear on the ballot for governor after the Michigan Board of State Canvassers certified their petitions, while Ralph Rebandt and Kim Thomas were excluded due to insufficient signatures. Bernadette Smith also failed to meet signature requirements, leaving Mike Rogers unopposed in the Republican Senate primary.

A federal appeals court upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit by Right to Life of Michigan challenging the state's constitutional abortion protections, ruling the plaintiffs lacked standing. The case targeted Proposal 3, a 2022 ballot initiative that enshrined reproductive rights in Michigan's constitution, but the court found the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate a direct injury linked to the defendants.

A U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit by Right to Life of Michigan challenging a 2022 ballot initiative (Proposal 3) that enshrined abortion rights in the Michigan Constitution. The court ruled the plaintiffs lacked standing, stating they failed to demonstrate injuries caused by the defendants. Attorneys general and state officials defended the decision, emphasizing support for reproductive rights.

Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan suspended his independent campaign for Michigan governor, effectively converting the three-way race into a two-candidate contest between Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Republican Rep. John James. Duggan's withdrawal is seen as beneficial to Democrats, as his moderate positioning and independent status had been splitting the progressive vote. The move concludes his year-long gubernatorial bid to succeed term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan suspended his independent campaign for Michigan governor, converting the three-way race into a two-candidate contest between Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Republican Rep. John James. Duggan's withdrawal is considered beneficial for Democrats, as his independent candidacy was seen as potentially splitting the left-leaning vote in the blue-trending state.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, faces Republican attacks over her past work with the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), which was indicted by the DOJ for allegedly paying extremist groups like the KKK. Benson's campaign defends her record, emphasizing her civil rights advocacy, while GOP officials demand transparency about her knowledge of SPLC's activities during her tenure.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, faces Republican scrutiny over her past volunteer and board roles at the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), which was federally indicted for allegedly funneling money to extremist groups like the KKK. Benson's campaign defends her civil rights work while dismissing GOP attacks as politically motivated.