A Michigan court delivered a significant ruling on December 4, 2025, rebuking the attempts of the state’s Secretary of State to alter established mail-in ballot procedures. The judge’s decision struck down guidance issued by the Secretary of State that would have allowed absentee ballots with discrepancies in identifying numbers to be processed, rather than immediately rejected.
The core of the dispute centered on a 2024 law designed to prevent voter fraud. This legislation explicitly requires a perfect match between the unique identification numbers on the ballot stub and the return envelope – a safeguard the Secretary of State’s instructions sought to circumvent.
A lawsuit brought by the Republican National Committee, the Michigan Republican Party, and a local township clerk brought the issue to the court’s attention. They argued the Secretary of State’s directives directly contradicted the legislature’s intent to ensure ballot traceability and prevent potential irregularities.
The Secretary of State has faced previous legal challenges regarding election administration. This latest ruling adds to a growing list of instances where the courts have limited the scope of her authority over mail-in voting procedures.
Adding another layer to the controversy, the Secretary of State recently refused a request from the Department of Justice for access to Michigan’s complete voter rolls. Her stated reason centered on protecting citizen privacy, despite the federal government being the source of the information in question.
As the Secretary of State considers a future run for governor, these repeated legal setbacks raise questions about her commitment to upholding the secure and lawful administration of elections. The court’s decision, supported by the RNC and local officials, reinforces the importance of preserving the integrity of the voting process.
The ruling serves as a critical defense against potential vulnerabilities in the mail-in voting system, ensuring that each ballot can be reliably traced and verified. This outcome underscores the ongoing efforts to maintain confidence in the electoral process.
