This week, the Michigan Court of Claims dismissed a lawsuit from the RNC attempting to disenfranchise thousands of U.S. citizens abroad, most notably military families. The DNC filed an amicus brief in support of Secretary of State Benson, Attorney General Nessel, and other Michigan leaders fighting back against the now-defeated lawsuit.

The RNC’s suit aimed to rip away the voting rights of Americans overseas, including the spouses and family members of U.S. service members, by claiming that Michigan’s longstanding residency requirements for voting conflict with the state constitution. The lawsuit ignored a federal law signed by Donald Trump in 2018 that allows military spouses to adopt a sponsoring servicemember’s residence for voting purposes.

In response, DNC Chair Ken Martin released the following statement: 

“This decision is a victory for military families, and further proof that the RNC’s efforts to disenfranchise voters will not succeed. The DNC will stop at nothing to prevent Republicans from cheating their way out of accountability in 2026, especially when their schemes target the families of our brave military servicemembers, like they did in Michigan. We were proud to stand with Secretary of State Benson and other Michigan leaders in fighting back against this shameful lawsuit.”

Michigan Advance: Michigan court tosses Republican suit challenging overseas voting for military spouses and children 

[Kyle Davidson, 04/24/2026] 

• Michigan Court of Claims Judge Sima Patel on Wednesday dismissed a challenge to Michigan election law brought by the Republican National Committee and the Michigan Republican Party against Michigan’s secretary of state and director of elections.
• While the suit aimed to invalidate a state law that allowed the spouses and dependents of Michigan voters who are living abroad to cast a ballot in Michigan elections, Patel concluded that the law remains in line with the Michigan Constitution.
• The suit was one of many cases that Republicans have filed against Benson, with the Michigan Court of Appeals rejecting a similar case in 2025, centered on the same rules within the state Election Officials Manual. 
• In a statement, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson called the decision “a victory for military servicemembers, their families, and the rule of law.”
• “Every U.S. citizen has the Constitutional right to freely cast their vote in every election – that should be a basic, nonpartisan position shared by every American, regardless of political preference,” Benson said. “I hope the court’s dismissal of this case marks the end of the RNC’s deliberate, well-funded attack on military and overseas citizen voting. But I’m prepared to continue the fight to defend the voting rights of every eligible citizen in our state and across the nation.”
• Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee, which filed a brief in support of Benson, echoed the secretary of state’s celebration, while pledging that “The DNC will stop at nothing to prevent Republicans from cheating their way out of accountability in 2026, especially when their schemes target the families of our brave military servicemembers, like they did in Michigan.”