Judge Rules Against Michigan’s Absentee Ballot Signature Presumption Rule

Republicans challenged a state rule that asked election officials to presume signatures on absentee ballots are valid.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (R) and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (L) wait to speak at a United Auto Workers rally after the Detroit Labor Day Parade in Detroit on Sept. 4, 2023. Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

A Michigan court ruled against the state’s top election officials’ recommendations for assessing the validity of absentee ballots in what Republicans are calling a victory for election integrity.

On June 12, Judge Christopher Yates ruled that Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Director of Elections Jonathan Brater didn’t follow the state’s election laws when they issued rules presuming signatures attached to absentee ballot applications and submissions were valid.