Michigan Voter Rolls Show More Registered Voters Than Eligible Residents

In Michigan, the voter rolls show 8.4 million registered voters, even though there are fewer than 8 million eligible residents. This discrepancy has raised alarms about the potential for voter fraud, especially in a state where elections can be highly competitive. The Republican National Committee (RNC) has sued Michigan over this issue, claiming the inflated numbers could undermine election integrity.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) has dismissed these concerns, accusing Republicans of trying to set the stage for overturning election results. However, Benson’s office admitted that over 600,000 inactive voters remain on the rolls and won’t be removed until 2027.

The RNC lawsuit highlights how 78 of Michigan’s 83 counties have more registered voters than eligible residents. For example, Wayne County, home to Detroit, has 1.4 million registered voters but only 1.3 million residents of voting age. The lawsuit argues that inaccurate voter rolls force the RNC to spend more on voter outreach and that these issues could lead to ineligible voters casting ballots.

As election integrity remains a top concern for many voters, Michigan’s inflated voter rolls are expected to be a significant issue in future elections. Republicans are pushing for tighter maintenance of voter lists, while Democrats continue to downplay the problem.