Michigan Democrats have requested an investigation into Republican Senate candidates, accusing them of potential forgery and fraud related to ballot signatures. The state is a critical battleground in the 2024 presidential election, with both parties vying for the Senate seat vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow.
Attorneys for the Michigan Democratic Party and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) have asked the Board of State Canvassers to investigate the nominating petitions of Republican Senate candidates Rogers, Amash, Pensler, and former candidate Meijer. They allege potential forgery and fraudulent signature gathering tactics.
Michigan Democratic Party Chairwoman Lavora Barnes called for an immediate investigation to uphold the integrity of Michigan’s elections. The letter to the Board claims that the candidates’ submissions appear to have potential fraudulent signatures, and demands that the Board should not certify any candidates until they have conclusively determined that they have submitted 15,000 valid signatures from actual Michigan voters.
However, the Republicans have dismissed the claims. Rogers’ campaign spokesman, Chris Gustafson, condemned the letter as an “antidemocratic stunt” by Slotkin’s allies. Pensler’s adviser, Stu Sandler, also criticized the letter, stating that Democrats are trying to eliminate Republicans from the ballot.
If an investigation is conducted and any of the candidates are found to have less than 15,000 valid signatures, they could be removed from the August 6 primary ballot for the Republican nomination to the U.S. Senate seat.
This is not the first time Republican candidates have faced allegations of fraud or potential forgery. In 2022, five Republican candidates for Michigan governor were barred from running after failing to submit enough valid signatures to qualify for the primary.
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