Case: United States v. Benson

1:25-cv-01148 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan

Filed Date: Sept. 25, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

Filed on September 25, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan before Chief District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou, this case is one of six coordinated enforcement actions brought by the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, against state election officials in California, New Hampshire, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota. Collectively, these cases seek to compel state compliance with federal voter-list maintenance and disclosure requirements under …

Filed on September 25, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan before Chief District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou, this case is one of six coordinated enforcement actions brought by the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, against state election officials in California, New Hampshire, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota. Collectively, these cases seek to compel state compliance with federal voter-list maintenance and disclosure requirements under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), and Title III of the Civil Rights Act of 1960 (CRA). Each complaint alleges that the state failed to maintain accurate voter registration rolls and refused to provide the Attorney General with complete data necessary to evaluate compliance with federal law.

The Department of Justice brought suit against the State of Michigan and Jocelyn Benson, in her official capacity as Michigan Secretary of State. The complaint alleges that, beginning with a July 21, 2025, records request, the Civil Rights Division sought Michigan’s Statewide Voter Registration List (SVRL)—including registrants’ full names, residential addresses, dates of birth, driver’s license numbers, and the last four digits of their Social Security numbers—as well as records showing how the state maintains and updates its rolls. DOJ’s inquiry was prompted in part by irregularities in Michigan’s data reported to the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) in its 2024 Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS), which indicated that Michigan sent confirmation notices to only 4.5% of its voters and removed just 4.2% of registered voters, both below national averages.

After multiple written exchanges, Secretary Benson declined to provide an unredacted copy of the SVRL, citing state privacy and disclosure laws. The Department contends those objections are preempted by federal law and notes that Michigan already shares similar data fields with the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), a multistate data-sharing consortium, undermining its claimed privacy rationale.

The complaint asserts three causes of action:

  1. Civil Rights Act of 1960 (52 U.S.C. § 20703): Michigan unlawfully refused to produce election records demanded by the Attorney General.
  2. National Voter Registration Act (52 U.S.C. § 20507(i)): Michigan failed to make available records necessary to verify whether its list-maintenance program makes reasonable efforts to remove ineligible voters.
  3. Help America Vote Act (52 U.S.C. § 21083): Michigan failed to maintain a uniform, accurate computerized voter registration list and to provide information required to assess compliance with HAVA’s maintenance provisions.

DOJ seeks declaratory relief that Michigan’s refusal to provide the unredacted voter registration data violates the CRA, NVRA, and HAVA, and that any conflicting provisions of state law are preempted. It also requests injunctive relief compelling Michigan to produce the complete electronic SVRL, including all required identifying fields, and related list-maintenance records. No monetary damages or attorneys’ fees are sought.

On September 30, 2025, represented by Elias Group, the Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans and two individual voters moved to intervene. On November 12, they sought permission to file a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, arguing that the Department of Justice has failed to state a claim under the NVRA, HAVA, or the Civil Rights Act of 1960. The proposed intervenors contend that neither the NVRA nor HAVA authorizes the federal government to compel production of Michigan’s complete, unredacted statewide voter registration list, emphasizing that HAVA governs list-maintenance practices rather than creating a federal disclosure right and that the NVRA permits states to withhold sensitive personal identifiers. They further argue that Title III of the Civil Rights Act applies only to discrete “records or papers” that come into the possession of election officials—not to an internally generated, continuously updated database like the SVRL—and does not prohibit Michigan from redacting voter data. Because none of the statutes cited in the complaint clearly empower DOJ to obtain the full voter-registration database, the intervenors assert that the relief sought is unprecedented, intrudes upon state sovereignty, and threatens voter privacy, and they therefore request dismissal of the complaint in its entirety.

On October 30, 2025, the Michigan League of Women Voters filed a similar motion to intervene, followed on November 24, 2025 by a similar motion to dismiss. 

The Court granted the first intervention motion in an opinion dated December 9, 2025, holding that the intervenors' interest in avoiding disclosure of their private information rendered them an appropriate party. However, the Court denied the League of Women Voters' intervention, holding that the earlier-filed intervenors would adequately the same interests as the League asserted. 2025 WL 3520406 

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Michael Vandergriff (11/15/2025)

Clearinghouse (12/10/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71453329/parties/united-states-v-benson/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff
Attorney for Defendant

Brewer, Mark (Michigan)

Ferguson, Robert Brent (Michigan)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Abbuhl, Joshua Charles (Michigan)

Branch, Aria (Michigan)

Eldridge, Scott Robert (Michigan)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:25-cv-01148

Complaint

United States v. Benson et al.

Sept. 25, 2025

Sept. 25, 2025

Complaint
23

1:25-cv-01148

Proposed Motion to Dismiss of Proposed Defendant-Intervenors Michigan Alliance For Retired Americans, Donald Duquette, and Keely Crimando

United States of America v. Benson

Nov. 12, 2025

Nov. 12, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief
45

1:25-cv-01148

Opinion

United States of America v. Jocelyn Benson et al.

Dec. 9, 2025

Dec. 9, 2025

Order/Opinion

2025 WL 3520406

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71453329/united-states-v-benson/

Last updated Dec. 28, 2025, 1:57 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against Jocelyn Benson, Michigan, State of filed by United States of America (Neff, Eric) Modified text on 9/25/2025 (mlc) (Entered: 09/25/2025)

Sept. 25, 2025

Sept. 25, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

NOTICE that this case has been assigned to Hala Y. Jarbou (mlc) (Entered: 09/25/2025)

Sept. 25, 2025

Sept. 25, 2025

RECAP
3

PROPOSED SUMMONS to be issued re 1 (Neff, Eric) (Entered: 09/25/2025)

Sept. 25, 2025

Sept. 25, 2025

Summons Not Issued

Sept. 25, 2025

Sept. 25, 2025

SUMMONS NOT ISSUED as to defendants Jocelyn Benson, Michigan, State of (Summons not Received) (mlc)

Sept. 25, 2025

Sept. 25, 2025

4

SUMMONS ISSUED as to defendants Jocelyn Benson, Michigan, State of (mlc) (Entered: 09/26/2025)

Sept. 26, 2025

Sept. 26, 2025

RECAP
5

MOTION to intervene intervenor parties Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans, Donald Duquette, Keely Crimando by intervenor parties Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans, Donald Duquette, Keely Crimando; (Attachments: # 1 Index of Exhibits, # 2 Exhibit A Proposed Answer, # 3 Exhibit B - Pedersen Decl., # 4 Exhibit C - Duquette Decl., # 5 Exhibit D - Crimando Decl.) (Prescott, Sarah) Modified text on 10/1/2025 (mlc) (Entered: 09/30/2025)

1 Index Index of Exhibits

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2 Exhibit Proposed Answer

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3 Exhibit B - Pedersen Decl.

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4 Exhibit C - Duquette Decl.

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5 Exhibit D - Crimando Decl.

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Sept. 30, 2025

Sept. 30, 2025

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6

CERTIFICATE of compliance re word count for MOTION to intervene intervenor parties Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans, Donald Duquette, Keely Crimando 5 filed by Keely Crimando, Donald Duquette, Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans (Prescott, Sarah) (Entered: 09/30/2025)

Sept. 30, 2025

Sept. 30, 2025

RECAP
7

CERTIFICATE regarding compliance with LCivR 7.1(d) re MOTION to intervene intervenor parties Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans, Donald Duquette, Keely Crimando 5 filed by Keely Crimando, Donald Duquette, Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans (Prescott, Sarah) (Entered: 09/30/2025)

Sept. 30, 2025

Sept. 30, 2025

RECAP
8

MOTION to stay by plaintiff United States of America; (Neff, Eric) (Entered: 10/01/2025)

Oct. 1, 2025

Oct. 1, 2025

RECAP
9

ORDER granting in part and denying in part 8 motion to stay; extending response deadline re 5 until 11/13/2025; signed by Chief Judge Hala Y. Jarbou (aks) (Entered: 10/02/2025)

Oct. 2, 2025

Oct. 2, 2025

RECAP
10

SUMMONS returned executed; Jocelyn Benson served on 10/8/2025, answer due 10/29/2025; Michigan, State of served on 10/8/2025, answer due 10/29/2025 (mlc) (Entered: 10/09/2025)

Oct. 9, 2025

Oct. 9, 2025

(NON-DOCUMENT) ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of Heather S. Meingast on behalf of defendants Jocelyn Benson, Michigan, State of (Meingast, Heather)

Oct. 14, 2025

Oct. 14, 2025

(NON-DOCUMENT) ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of Erik Alexander Grill on behalf of defendants Jocelyn Benson, Michigan, State of (Grill, Erik)

Oct. 14, 2025

Oct. 14, 2025

Attorney Appearance

Oct. 14, 2025

Oct. 14, 2025

(NON-DOCUMENT) ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of Joshua Charles Abbuhl on behalf of intervenor parties Keely Crimando, Donald Duquette, Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans (Abbuhl, Joshua)

Oct. 17, 2025

Oct. 17, 2025

(NON-DOCUMENT) ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of Branden D. Lewiston on behalf of intervenor parties Keely Crimando, Donald Duquette, Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans (Lewiston, Branden)

Oct. 17, 2025

Oct. 17, 2025

Attorney Appearance

Oct. 17, 2025

Oct. 17, 2025

11

MOTION for extension of time to file answer re 1 by defendants Jocelyn Benson, Michigan, State of; (Meingast, Heather) (Entered: 10/22/2025)

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

RECAP
12

BRIEF in support of MOTION for extension of time to file answer re 1 11 filed by Jocelyn Benson, Michigan, State of (Meingast, Heather) (Entered: 10/22/2025)

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

RECAP
13

CERTIFICATE of compliance re word count for Brief in Support of a Motion 12 filed by Jocelyn Benson, Michigan, State of (Meingast, Heather) (Entered: 10/22/2025)

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

14

CERTIFICATE regarding compliance with LCivR 7.1(d) re MOTION for extension of time to file answer re 1 11 filed by Jocelyn Benson, Michigan, State of (Meingast, Heather) (Entered: 10/22/2025)

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

RECAP

(NON-DOCUMENT) ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of Derek Anthony Zeigler on behalf of intervenor parties Keely Crimando, Donald Duquette, Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans (Zeigler, Derek)

Oct. 23, 2025

Oct. 23, 2025

Attorney Appearance

Oct. 23, 2025

Oct. 23, 2025

15

ORDER granting 11 motion for extension of time to answer until 11/12/2025; signed by Chief Judge Hala Y. Jarbou (aks) (Entered: 10/27/2025)

Oct. 27, 2025

Oct. 27, 2025

RECAP

(NON-DOCUMENT) ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of Aria Branch on behalf of intervenor parties Keely Crimando, Donald Duquette, Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans (Branch, Aria)

Oct. 28, 2025

Oct. 28, 2025

Attorney Appearance

Oct. 28, 2025

Oct. 28, 2025

16

CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans (Prescott, Sarah) (Entered: 10/30/2025)

Oct. 30, 2025

Oct. 30, 2025

17

MOTION to intervene intervenor-defendant League of Women Voters of Michigan by intervenor-defendant League of Women Voters of Michigan; (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Exhibit, # 4 Exhibit) (Brewer, Mark) (Entered: 10/30/2025)

1 Exhibit

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2 Exhibit

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3 Exhibit

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4 Exhibit

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Oct. 30, 2025

Oct. 30, 2025

RECAP
18

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by intervenor-defendant League of Women Voters of Michigan (Brewer, Mark) (Entered: 10/31/2025)

Oct. 31, 2025

Oct. 31, 2025

RECAP

Attorney Appearance

Oct. 31, 2025

Oct. 31, 2025

(NON-DOCUMENT) ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of Andrew Garber on behalf of intervenor-defendant League of Women Voters of Michigan (Garber, Andrew)

Oct. 31, 2025

Oct. 31, 2025

19

SECOND MOTION for extension of time to file answer re 1 by defendants Jocelyn Benson, Michigan, State of; (Meingast, Heather) (Entered: 11/10/2025)

Nov. 10, 2025

Nov. 10, 2025

RECAP
20

BRIEF in support of SECOND MOTION for extension of time to file answer re 1 19 filed by Jocelyn Benson, Michigan, State of (Meingast, Heather) (Entered: 11/10/2025)

Nov. 10, 2025

Nov. 10, 2025

RECAP
21

CERTIFICATE regarding compliance with LCivR 7.1(d) re SECOND MOTION for extension of time to file answer re 1 19 filed by Jocelyn Benson, Michigan, State of (Meingast, Heather) (Entered: 11/10/2025)

Nov. 10, 2025

Nov. 10, 2025

22

CERTIFICATE of compliance re word count for Brief in Support of a Motion 20 filed by Jocelyn Benson, Michigan, State of (Meingast, Heather) (Entered: 11/10/2025)

Nov. 10, 2025

Nov. 10, 2025

(NON-DOCUMENT) ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of Daniel Spector Lenz on behalf of intervenor-defendant League of Women Voters of Michigan (Lenz, Daniel)

Nov. 10, 2025

Nov. 10, 2025

(NON-DOCUMENT) ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of Kate Hamilton on behalf of intervenor-defendant League of Women Voters of Michigan (Hamilton, Kate)

Nov. 10, 2025

Nov. 10, 2025

(NON-DOCUMENT) ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of Robert Brent Ferguson on behalf of intervenor-defendant League of Women Voters of Michigan (Ferguson, Robert)

Nov. 10, 2025

Nov. 10, 2025

(NON-DOCUMENT) ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of Heather Szilagyi on behalf of intervenor-defendant League of Women Voters of Michigan (Szilagyi, Heather)

Nov. 10, 2025

Nov. 10, 2025

(NON-DOCUMENT) ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of Renata O'Donnell on behalf of intervenor-defendant League of Women Voters of Michigan (O'Donnell, Renata)

Nov. 10, 2025

Nov. 10, 2025

(NON-DOCUMENT) ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of Alexis Denae Grady on behalf of intervenor-defendant League of Women Voters of Michigan (Grady, Alexis)

Nov. 10, 2025

Nov. 10, 2025

(NON-DOCUMENT) ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of Sejal Jhaveri on behalf of intervenor-defendant League of Women Voters of Michigan (Jhaveri, Sejal)

Nov. 10, 2025

Nov. 10, 2025

Attorney Appearance

Nov. 10, 2025

Nov. 10, 2025

23

PROPOSED MOTION with memorandum in support to dismiss for failure to state a claim by intervenor parties Keely Crimando, Donald Duquette, Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans; (Attachments: # 1 Index of Exhibits, # 2 Exhibit A - Letter from DOJ to Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (July 21, 2025), # 3 Exhibit B - Letter on behalf of Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to DOJ (Sept. 2, 2025), # 4 Exhibit C - Letter on behalf of Secretary of State Jacelyn Benson to DOJ (Sept. 9, 2025)) (Prescott, Sarah) Modified text on 11/13/2025 (mlc) (Entered: 11/12/2025)

Nov. 12, 2025

Nov. 12, 2025

Clearinghouse
24

CERTIFICATE of compliance re word count for PROPOSED MOTION to dismiss for failure to state a claim 23 filed by Keely Crimando, Donald Duquette, Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans (Prescott, Sarah) (Entered: 11/12/2025)

Nov. 12, 2025

Nov. 12, 2025

25

ORDER granting 19 motion for extension of time to answer until 11/26/2025; no further extensions; signed by Chief Judge Hala Y. Jarbou (aks) (Entered: 11/12/2025)

Nov. 12, 2025

Nov. 12, 2025

26

RESPONSE in opposition to MOTION to intervene intervenor-defendant League of Women Voters of Michigan 17, MOTION to intervene intervenor parties Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans, Donald Duquette, Keely Crimando 5 filed by United States of America (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 Letter, # 2 Exhibit 2 Consent Order) (Neff, Eric) Modified text on 11/14/2025 (pjw). (Entered: 11/13/2025)

1 Exhibit 1 Letter

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2 Exhibit 2 Consent Order

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Nov. 13, 2025

Nov. 13, 2025

27

MOTION for leave to file Reply in Support of Motion to Intervene by intervenor-defendant League of Women Voters of Michigan; (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1) (O'Donnell, Renata) (Entered: 11/18/2025)

1 Exhibit 1

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Nov. 18, 2025

Nov. 18, 2025

RECAP
28

ORDER granting 27 motion for leave to file [21-1] reply brief; signed by Chief Judge Hala Y. Jarbou (aks) (Entered: 11/20/2025)

Nov. 20, 2025

Nov. 20, 2025

RECAP
29

MOTION for leave to file Reply Brief in Support of Proposed Defendant-Intervenors' Motion to Intervene by intervenor parties Keely Crimando, Donald Duquette, Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans; (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Document Exhibit 1 - Proposed Defendant-Intervenors Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans, Donald Duquette, and Keely Crimando's Reply in Support of their Motion to Intervene) (Prescott, Sarah) (Entered: 11/20/2025)

1 Proposed Document Exhibit 1 - Proposed Defendant-Intervenors Michigan Alliance f

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Nov. 20, 2025

Nov. 20, 2025

30

CERTIFICATE regarding compliance with LCivR 7.1(d) re MOTION for leave to file Reply Brief in Support of Proposed Defendant-Intervenors' Motion to Intervene 29 filed by Keely Crimando, Donald Duquette, Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans (Prescott, Sarah) (Entered: 11/20/2025)

Nov. 20, 2025

Nov. 20, 2025

31

CERTIFICATE of compliance re word count for MOTION for leave to file Reply Brief in Support of Proposed Defendant-Intervenors' Motion to Intervene 29 filed by Keely Crimando, Donald Duquette, Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans (Prescott, Sarah) (Entered: 11/20/2025)

Nov. 20, 2025

Nov. 20, 2025

32

REPLY to response to motion 17 with certificate of compliance filed by League of Women Voters of Michigan (mlc) Modified text on 11/21/2025; filed per order 28 (mlc) (Entered: 11/21/2025)

Nov. 20, 2025

Nov. 20, 2025

33

ORDER granting 29 motion for leave to file [29-1] reply; signed by Chief Judge Hala Y. Jarbou (aks) (Entered: 11/25/2025)

Nov. 25, 2025

Nov. 25, 2025

RECAP
34

MOTION for leave to file Motion to Dismiss by intervenor-defendant League of Women Voters of Michigan; (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Motion to Dismiss with Memorandum in Support, # 2 Index of Exhibits, # 3 Exhibit A, # 4 Exhibit B, # 5 Exhibit C, # 6 Exhibit D, # 7 Exhibit E, # 8 Certificate of Compliance for Memorandum in Support of Motion to Dismiss) (O'Donnell, Renata) (Entered: 11/25/2025)

1 Proposed Motion to Dismiss with Memorandum in Support

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2 Index of Exhibits

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3 Exhibit A

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4 Exhibit B

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5 Exhibit C

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6 Exhibit D

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7 Exhibit E

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8 Certificate of Compliance for Memorandum in Support of Motion to Dismiss

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Nov. 25, 2025

Nov. 25, 2025

RECAP
35

CERTIFICATE of compliance re word count for MOTION for leave to file Motion to Dismiss 34 filed by League of Women Voters of Michigan (O'Donnell, Renata) (Entered: 11/25/2025)

Nov. 25, 2025

Nov. 25, 2025

36

CERTIFICATE regarding compliance with LCivR 7.1(d) re MOTION for leave to file Motion to Dismiss 34 filed by League of Women Voters of Michigan (O'Donnell, Renata) (Entered: 11/25/2025)

Nov. 25, 2025

Nov. 25, 2025

37

REPLY to response to motion 5 filed by Keely Crimando, Donald Duquette, Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans (mlc) Modified text on 11/26/2025; filed per order 33 (mlc) (Entered: 11/26/2025)

Nov. 25, 2025

Nov. 25, 2025

RECAP
38

MOTION to dismiss for failure to state a claim by defendants Jocelyn Benson, Michigan, State of; (Meingast, Heather) (Entered: 11/26/2025)

Nov. 26, 2025

Nov. 26, 2025

RECAP
39

BRIEF in support of MOTION to dismiss for failure to state a claim 38 filed by Jocelyn Benson, Michigan, State of (Attachments: # 1 Index Exhibit List, # 2 Exhibit A. U.S. DOJ Letter dated 07.21.2025, # 3 Exhibit B. U.S. DOJ Letter dated 08.08.2025, # 4 Exhibit C. U.S. DOJ Letter dated 08.14.2025, # 5 Exhibit D. MI Department of State Letter dated 09.02.2025, # 6 Exhibit E. MI Department of State Letter dated 09.09.2025) (Meingast, Heather) (Entered: 11/26/2025)

1 Index Exhibit List

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2 Exhibit A. U.S. DOJ Letter dated 07.21.2025

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3 Exhibit B. U.S. DOJ Letter dated 08.08.2025

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4 Exhibit C. U.S. DOJ Letter dated 08.14.2025

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5 Exhibit D. MI Department of State Letter dated 09.02.2025

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6 Exhibit E. MI Department of State Letter dated 09.09.2025

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Nov. 26, 2025

Nov. 26, 2025

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40

CERTIFICATE regarding compliance with LCivR 7.1(d) re MOTION to dismiss for failure to state a claim 38 filed by Jocelyn Benson, Michigan, State of (Meingast, Heather) (Entered: 11/26/2025)

Nov. 26, 2025

Nov. 26, 2025

41

CERTIFICATE of compliance re word count for Brief in Support of a Motion, 39 filed by Jocelyn Benson, Michigan, State of (Meingast, Heather) (Entered: 11/26/2025)

Nov. 26, 2025

Nov. 26, 2025

42

MOTION for amicus curiae status by the Democratic National Committee, MOTION for leave to file Amicus Brief by amicus Democratic National Committee; (Attachments: # 1 Attachment) (Eldridge, Scott) (Entered: 12/01/2025)

1 Attachment

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Dec. 1, 2025

Dec. 1, 2025

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43

CERTIFICATE regarding compliance with LCivR 7.1(d) re MOTION for amicus curiae status by the Democratic National Committee MOTION for leave to file Amicus Brief 42 filed by Democratic National Committee (Eldridge, Scott) (Entered: 12/01/2025)

Dec. 1, 2025

Dec. 1, 2025

RECAP

Attorney Appearance

Dec. 1, 2025

Dec. 1, 2025

(NON-DOCUMENT) ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of Erika L. Giroux on behalf of amicus Democratic National Committee (Giroux, Erika)

Dec. 1, 2025

Dec. 1, 2025

44

ORDER setting Rule 16 scheduling conference: Rule 16 scheduling conference is set for 12/29/2025 at 02:00 PM by video before Magistrate Judge Phillip J. Green; status report due by 12/23/2025; signed by Magistrate Judge Phillip J. Green (jkw) (Entered: 12/04/2025)

Dec. 4, 2025

Dec. 4, 2025

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45

OPINION; signed by Chief Judge Hala Y. Jarbou (mcp)

Dec. 9, 2025

Dec. 9, 2025

Clearinghouse
46

ORDER granting 5 Michigan Alliance of Retired Americans' motion to intervene; directing the Clerk of Court to enter 23 proposed motion to dismiss on the docket; denying 17 League of Women Voters of Michigan's motion to intervene; denying 34 motion for leave to file a motion to dismiss as moot; signed by Chief Judge Hala Y. Jarbou (mcp) (Entered: 12/09/2025)

Dec. 9, 2025

Dec. 9, 2025

RECAP
47

MOTION to dismiss for failure to state a claim with memorandum in support by intervenor parties Keely Crimando, Donald Duquette, Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans; (Attachments: # 1 Index of Exhibits, # 2 Exhibit A - Letter from DOJ to Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (July 21, 2025), # 3 Exhibit B - Letter on behalf of Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to DOJ (Sept. 2, 2025), # 4 Exhibit C - Letter on behalf of Secretary of State Jacelyn Benson to DOJ (Sept. 9, 2025)) (mlc) Modified text on 12/9/2025; filed per Order 46 (mlc) (Entered: 12/09/2025)

1 Index of Exhibits

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2 Exhibit A - Letter from DOJ to Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (July 21, 2025)

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3 Exhibit B - Letter on behalf of Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to DOJ (Sept.

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4 Exhibit C - Letter on behalf of Secretary of State Jacelyn Benson to DOJ (Sept.

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Dec. 9, 2025

Dec. 9, 2025

RECAP
48

UNOPPOSED MOTION for leave to file amicus brief in support of 39, 47 by intervenor-defendant League of Women Voters of Michigan; (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - Proposed Amicus Brief) (O'Donnell, Renata) Modified text on 12/22/2025 (mlc) (Entered: 12/19/2025)

1 Exhibit 1 - Proposed Amicus Brief

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Dec. 19, 2025

Dec. 19, 2025

49

CERTIFICATE regarding compliance with LCivR 7.1(d) re UNOPPOSED MOTION for amicus curiae status 48 filed by League of Women Voters of Michigan (O'Donnell, Renata) (Entered: 12/19/2025)

Dec. 19, 2025

Dec. 19, 2025

50

CERTIFICATE of compliance re word count for UNOPPOSED MOTION for amicus curiae status 48 filed by League of Women Voters of Michigan (O'Donnell, Renata) (Entered: 12/19/2025)

Dec. 19, 2025

Dec. 19, 2025

55

Order on Motion for Extension of Time

Dec. 27, 2025

Dec. 27, 2025

Case Details

State / Territory:

Michigan

Case Type(s):

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority

Election/Voting Rights

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations By the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 25, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

State of Michigan and Jocelyn Benson, as Secretary of State.

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Jocelyn Benson, Secretary of State, State

Defendant Type(s):

Law-enforcement

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Civil Rights Act of 1957/1960, 52 U.S.C. § 10101 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 1971)

Help America Vote Act (HAVA), 52 U.S.C. § 20901 et seq (previously 42 U.S.C. § 15301 et seq)

National Voter Registration Act ("Motor Voter law"), 52 U.S.C. § 20501 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg)

Other Dockets:

Western District of Michigan 1:25-cv-01148

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Granted:

Document/information produced

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Issues

Voting:

Voter registration rules