Michigan GOP Lawmakers Ask DOJ to Monitor 2026 Elections, Citing Benson’s Candidacy

Overview

• Twenty-two Republican legislators led by Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to deploy Department of Justice monitors for Michigan’s 2026 primary and general elections.
• The request argues Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has a conflict because she will oversee elections in which she is running for governor.
• The Justice Department declined to comment on the letter, leaving the matter unresolved.
• Michigan’s Department of State condemned the request as partisan, and Benson’s campaign said she has delivered secure, transparent elections with record participation.
• Republicans cited an ethics finding over Benson’s January announcement in a state building and 16 noncitizen votes in 2024, while officials note those instances carried no penalties, were extremely rare, and that prior secretaries — including Ruth Johnson — campaigned while administering elections; Benson has also limited DOJ access to only the public voter file to protect private data.