House election panel backs resolution urging Michigan secretary of state to provide voter-file data

The House Committee on Election Integrity voted 6-3 to report House Resolution 196, calling on Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to provide information from Michigan’s qualified voter file, including material the U.S. Department of Justice requested.

Representative Fox, who presented the resolution, said the committee and other Republican entities have “lawfully requested access to information from Michigan's qualified voter file.” He accused Benson of failing to cooperate with federal and legislative inquiries and asked, “what does she have to hide?”

The resolution’s backers said their stated goal is to verify that only eligible Michigan citizens are voting. “Our goal is simple, common sense. We want to ensure election integrity in 2026 and beyond by verifying that legal citizens of Michigan and only legal citizens of Michigan are eligible to vote,” Representative Fox said.

Representatives questioning the resolution raised privacy and legal concerns. Representative Song noted that former Secretary of State Ruth Johnson had said voter privacy matters and asked what additional information the DOJ would use such data for.

Representative Wooden offered a legal explanation for the committee to consider. “Under Michigan election law, it explicitly prohibits the dissemination of these personal identifiable data like Social Security numbers and driver's license numbers,” Wooden said, and added that the Federal Privacy Act limits what the Department of Justice can request. Wooden also said that the Department of Justice’s communique “was not a demand … it was a request.”

Wooden told the committee that Michigan had already provided a statewide voter registration list with personal information removed. “On September 2, Michigan provided its statewide voter registration list excluding personal information that cannot be shared under state law,” Wooden said.

The committee reported the resolution with recommendation on a roll call motion moved by Representative Hoadley. The clerk read the vote as: Chair Smith, Representative Fox, Representative Altman, Representative Alexander, Representative Hoadley and Representative Pablo — yes; Representatives Wooden, Colzart and Song — no. The motion prevailed 6 yays to 3 nays.

Public comment cards on the item were minimal; the clerk read that Kay Perry was recorded as opposing the resolution and Sherry Ritchie of Pure Integrity Michigan was recorded as supporting it.

The committee’s action sends the resolution forward with a recommendation; the transcript does not record any court action or enforcement mechanism included in the resolution itself.