Justice Department demands Michigan county turn over 2024 ballots

Michigan Attorney General calls the request 'absurd' and 'baseless'

Apr. 19, 2026 at 9:23pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Justice Department has demanded Wayne County, Michigan, to turn over all ballots from the November 2024 election, another escalation of the Trump administration's voting inquiries. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, dismissed the request as 'absurd' and 'baseless', stating that the administration is attempting to 'bully clerks and spread fear' even after Trump won Michigan in 2024.

Why it matters

This latest request from the Justice Department is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to exert greater federal control over elections, despite the Constitution delegating power over elections to the states. The administration's inquiries into voting records across the country have raised concerns about potential voter suppression and interference in state electoral processes.

The details

In a letter to the chief election official of Wayne County dated April 14, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon cited three convictions for election fraud and five lawsuits against the county that alleged election fraud. Dhillon gave the county 14 days to produce the requested documents, which included ballots, ballot receipts, and ballot envelopes. Trump carried Michigan on his way to winning the presidency in 2024, though he lost solidly Democratic Wayne County, which is home to Detroit, by nearly 250,000 votes.

  • The Justice Department's request was made on April 14, 2026.
  • The county has been given 14 days to produce the requested documents.

The players

Dana Nessel

The Democratic Attorney General of Michigan, who dismissed the Justice Department's request as 'absurd' and 'baseless'.

Harmeet Dhillon

The Assistant Attorney General who sent the letter demanding Wayne County turn over the 2024 ballots.

Donald Trump

The former president who won Michigan in the 2024 election, though he lost solidly Democratic Wayne County by nearly 250,000 votes.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Once again, President Trump is weaponizing the Justice Department in an attempt to sabotage our democratic process and turn it into his own personal agency to interfere in state elections.”

— Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General

“If this administration wants to bring this circus to our state, my office is prepared to protect the people's right to vote.”

— Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General

“Using these prosecutions and recycling debunked 2020 election conspiracy theories as justification to demand copies of the ballots of Michigan residents is a clear attempt to bully clerks and spread fear, even after Donald Trump won Michigan in 2024.”

— Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General

What’s next

The Justice Department has given Wayne County 14 days to produce the requested documents. It remains to be seen how the county and the state of Michigan will respond to this demand.

The takeaway

This latest request from the Justice Department is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to exert greater federal control over elections, despite the Constitution delegating power over elections to the states. The administration's inquiries into voting records across the country have raised concerns about potential voter suppression and interference in state electoral processes.