The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced plans to send election monitors to Detroit, Lansing, and East Lansing for the upcoming primary election on August 4, 2026. This decision was communicated to Michigan officials through letters, which were confirmed by Kiersten Pels, a spokeswoman for the DOJ. The letters indicated that the monitors would assess the administration of the federal primary election and would contact local officials a week prior to the election to discuss the monitoring details.
The three cities are known as Democratic strongholds, with Detroit being the largest city in Michigan. Lansing and East Lansing are part of the swing 7th U.S. House District, where Republican U.S. Representative Tom Barrett is seeking re-election without a primary opponent. The DOJ's actions are seen as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to scrutinize voting processes in Michigan, which has faced allegations of election fraud from Trump and his supporters, although no evidence has been substantiated.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, both Democrats, have expressed concerns over the DOJ's monitoring, stating that states are responsible for running elections and emphasizing the importance of a secure and fair election process. Nessel indicated that her office would hold accountable anyone attempting to unlawfully interfere with election workers.
The DOJ's letter also alleged issues with the voter registration process in Lansing during the 2024 election, which city clerk Chris Swope disputed, stating that long lines were not a problem due to the increased use of absentee and early voting. Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum criticized the DOJ's actions, suggesting they could discourage voter turnout in Democratic areas. Three Democrats are currently running for the party's nomination to challenge Barrett in the upcoming election.