The Department of Justice (DOJ) has called for the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump’s campaign against Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer over her establishment of new voter registration locations. The lawsuit, filed in July, alleges that Whitmer’s actions were illegal and could lead to voter fraud. The DOJ, however, dismissed the claims as “highly speculative” and argued that the lawsuit lacked standing.
Details of the Suit
In the suit, Trump’s campaign, joined by the Republican National Committee, Michigan Republican Party, and local township clerk Ryan Kidd, challenges Whitmer’s directive to designate various government agencies, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Small Business Administration (SBA), as Voter Registration Agencies (VRAs). These VRAs were established under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), which requires states to provide voter registration services at government offices beyond local clerk offices. Whitmer invoked this federal law in her directive, making the VA Medical Centers in Saginaw and Detroit, along with the Detroit VA regional office, sites for voter registration.
Trump’s Lawsuit Targets Voter Registration at VA and SBA Locations
Trump’s lawsuit claims that Whitmer’s directive violated Michigan law, which, according to the plaintiffs, states that only the state legislature has the authority to designate voter registration sites. The lawsuit also names the SBA and VA as defendants, alleging that allowing voter registration at these locations could lead to ineligible individuals being registered to vote, undermining election integrity. The plaintiffs assert that Whitmer’s actions would increase their burden to monitor Michigan elections for potential fraud. They argue that resources and time would have to be diverted to ensure that no ineligible voters register through the VA or SBA. This, according to Trump’s campaign, threatens the integrity of future elections.
DOJ: Allegations of Voter Fraud Are “Highly Speculative”
In response, the DOJ submitted a 35-page motion to dismiss, arguing that the plaintiffs’ claims lack merit. The DOJ emphasized that the Trump campaign had not provided any specific instances of ineligible individuals being registered through these new VRAs. The lawsuit, according to the DOJ, rests on a “highly speculative fear” of voter fraud, lacking concrete evidence to support these concerns.
The motion outlined several hypothetical steps that would have to occur for the plaintiffs’ concerns to materialize: an ineligible voter would have to attempt to register, their registration would have to be erroneously accepted, they would need to vote against the plaintiffs’ favored candidates, and there would need to be enough such votes to affect the election outcome. The DOJ argued that the plaintiffs had failed to show how these events were even plausible, let alone likely.
Whitmer Defends Efforts to Facilitate Voter Registration for Veterans and Small Business Owners
Governor Whitmer has defended her directive, stating that it is in line with the NVRA’s goal of making voter registration more accessible to all citizens, including veterans and small business owners. She expressed confusion over the lawsuit’s opposition to offering voter registration services at these locations, emphasizing that veterans and small businesses play a crucial role in Michigan’s communities.
The DOJ also argued that the local clerk, Ryan Kidd, lacks standing to be part of the lawsuit. They noted that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate how the addition of VRAs would confuse Kidd or complicate his duties as a township clerk. Trump’s legal team has until Friday to respond to the DOJ’s motion to dismiss. The lawsuit’s outcome could have implications for how voter registration services are offered at government agencies moving forward.
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