LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Michigan Republican Party say they scored a procedural victory in a lawsuit challenging Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s rule governing the deletion of electronic pollbook files.

The dispute centers on a rule generally requiring electronic pollbook software and associated files to be deleted from devices by the seventh day following an election’s final canvass and certification. The rule includes exceptions for recounts, audits and orders blocking deletion. It also prohibits deletion until election officials issue a release-of-security memorandum.

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Republicans argue the rule conflicts with federal law requiring election officials to preserve covered records relating to voting in elections involving federal candidates for 22 months.

According to the RNC and Michigan Republican Party, a Michigan court granted their motion to intervene this week, allowing them to participate in the lawsuit. That decision does not resolve whether the rule violates federal law.

“Why is Jocelyn Benson fighting to delete election records after just seven days when federal law requires them to be preserved for 22 months?” asked RNC Chairman Joe Gruters. “The RNC has been fighting this election record purge from the start, and now we’re taking that fight directly into court. Michigan voters deserve transparency and accountability, not secrecy and less oversight.”

The RNC described its participation in the case as its latest effort to secure Michigan elections and hold state officials accountable to the law.