Michigan Supreme Court Allows GOP Lawsuit Over Flint Poll Worker Imbalance

The Michigan Supreme Court ruled that the Michigan Republican Party (MIGOP) and the Republican National Committee (RNC) have standing to sue the City of Flint over alleged violations of election law related to partisan imbalance among poll workers during the 2022 elections. The court reversed lower court rulings that had dismissed the case for lack of standing, emphasizing the GOP's "special right and substantial interest" in ensuring equal representation of party-affiliated election inspectors as mandated by state law. The lawsuit claims Flint appointed significantly fewer Republican election inspectors compared to Democrats in both the August 2022 primary and November 2022 general elections, violating Michigan election law requirements for near-equal appointment from major parties. The case was sent back to the Genesee County Circuit Court for trial, with the ruling supported by a liberal majority on the Supreme Court and opposed by Chief Justice Megan Cavanagh. This decision revives GOP efforts to challenge election administration in Flint, highlighting partisan concerns over election inspector appointments under MCL 168.674. The controversy centers on Flint appointing far fewer Republican inspectors despite applications, raising questions about compliance with state election statutes.