Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson today issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a case challenging the right of Michigan voters to amend the state constitution through ballot initiatives regulating federal elections. Lindsey v. Whitmer was filed by 11 Michigan state legislators, dismissed by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan in April 2024, and the dismissal was affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in December 2024:  

“This is a victory for the people of Michigan. The U.S. Supreme Court’s action has rightly upheld the power of Michigan voters to amend the state constitution and preserves the important checks and balances in our democratic process.  

“In recent years, voters in Michigan have overwhelmingly supported ballot initiatives to create a citizen-led independent redistricting process, to guarantee at least nine days of early voting for every statewide election, and to make voting more accessible for every eligible citizen. Today’s action ensures that the will of the voters will stand on these and other issues important to the people of our state. 

“Now that the Supreme Court has sided with people over politicians, I hope this marks the end of an era filled with frivolous lawsuits and attacks on our elections, our democracy, and the voting rights of every eligible citizen.”