Republicans sue for more poll watchers in key Michigan city

Republicans filed a lawsuit in Lansing on Friday, alleging that election officials have been appointing more Democratic than Republican inspectors, violating the requirement for equal representation in each precinct. The lawsuit claims that city officials denied a member of the state party access to inspector applications to examine if Republicans had been equally considered. The case could influence the upcoming Senate and governor races.

Election inspectors in Michigan are responsible for several duties, ranging from manning early voting and election-day polling places to helping manage absentee ballots. By state law, counties are required to appoint an equal – or “as nearly [equal] as possible” – number of inspectors from both major political parties. The Republicans are asking the court to order the city to appoint more Republican inspectors ahead of the general election, and to grant the party access to examining election inspector applications.

Michigan will host pivotal races for Senate and governor this fall, and Lansing is the state’s sixth-largest city. In 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris won 64% of the presidential vote in Ingham County, which contains Lansing. Neither Lansing election officials nor the Michigan Democratic Party immediately responded to requests for comment.

Read the full story at democracydocket.com.