Michigan Secretary of State vows to fight Trump's national voter list order

Jocelyn Benson says she will take legal action against the former president's directive.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 6:46pm

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Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has vowed to take swift legal action to fight a recent executive order signed by former President Donald Trump that directs the creation of a national voter registration list. Benson, a Democrat, said the order raises significant privacy and security concerns and could lead to voter suppression efforts.

Why it matters

The creation of a national voter list has long been a controversial proposal, with critics arguing it could be used to unfairly target and disenfranchise certain voters. Benson's pledge to challenge the order in court sets up a potential legal showdown over the limits of federal power in elections, which are primarily administered at the state level.

The details

Trump's executive order directs the Department of Homeland Security to work with other federal agencies to establish a centralized national voter registration database. Benson said the order raises major concerns about data privacy, security, and potential voter suppression, and that she will file a lawsuit to block its implementation.

  • On April 1, 2026, former President Trump signed the executive order creating the national voter list.
  • Benson said she will take swift legal action to challenge the order in the coming days.

The players

Jocelyn Benson

The Democratic Secretary of State of Michigan who has vowed to fight Trump's executive order in court.

Donald Trump

The former Republican president who signed the executive order directing the creation of a national voter registration list.

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What they’re saying

“We will take swift action in court to fight this unconstitutional overreach and protect the privacy and security of Michigan voters.”

— Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State

What’s next

Benson said she plans to file a lawsuit challenging the executive order in federal court within the next week.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between federal and state control over election administration, as well as concerns about data privacy and voter suppression in the digital age. Benson's vow to fight the order sets the stage for a high-stakes legal battle that could have significant implications for the future of US elections.