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Michigan Court Upholds Overseas Voting for Military Spouses and Children

The ruling affirms legislative power to define voting residence under federal safeguards for military and overseas families.

Overview

  • The Michigan Court of Claims dismissed a lawsuit from the RNC and Michigan GOP, leaving the state’s overseas voting rule in place.
  • The law lets legal‑age spouses and children of Michigan residents living abroad register and vote absentee using the relative’s last Michigan address, even if they never lived in the state.
  • Judge Sima Patel wrote that lawmakers may define voting residence and cited federal protections that require states to offer absentee ballots to overseas voters and their spouses and dependents.
  • Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson called the decision a victory for military servicemembers, their families, and the rule of law.
  • Republicans have not said if they will appeal in Michigan, and they are pursuing a similar challenge to overseas voting in Virginia.