Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson was served with court documents related to the Southern Poverty Law Center on Wednesday evening, marking a new legal challenge for the state’s top election official.
Benson has faced a large number of election‑related lawsuits during her tenure, more than any of her four predecessors combined. The lawsuits have focused on her administration’s handling of voter registration and election oversight.
In a federal indictment released earlier this year, the Southern Poverty Law Center was charged with wire fraud and false statements. Prosecutors allege that between 2014 and 2023 the organization paid more than $3 million to individuals linked to extremist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan, United Klans of America, National Alliance, and National Socialist Movement.
Those payments were purportedly used by the recipients to support group activities, including recruitment and the purchase of ceremonial items. The indictment also claims the organization failed to disclose the payments to donors while presenting itself as a watchdog against extremism.
Benson served on the Southern Poverty Law Center’s board during the period covered by the indictment. The board membership has prompted calls for her to explain her role and any knowledge of the alleged payments.
Former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, who recently withdrew his gubernatorial campaign, has urged the Secretary of State to provide transparency about her board involvement. Cox has publicly stated that voters deserve to know what Benson knew and how involved she was.
Separately, Benson’s office has faced a series of discrimination lawsuits. In August 2025, a former department director received a settlement of $775,000 after alleging a racially hostile work environment. In January 2026, four Black employees filed a civil suit alleging racial discrimination, retaliation, and violations of the state’s civil rights act.
The lawsuit claims a pattern of preferential treatment for white employees and a lack of effective policies to prevent discriminatory conduct. The department has denied the allegations, asserting that it maintains strict non‑discrimination policies.
Legal proceedings are ongoing as the state’s election office and the Southern Poverty Law Center face scrutiny over their respective roles in the alleged payments and workplace environment. The outcome of these cases will shape public trust in Michigan’s electoral and administrative institutions.
