Justice Department asks Wayne County to turn over ballots from presidential election

The U.S. Department of Justice has requested that Wayne County turn over all ballots, receipts, and envelopes from Michigan’s 2024 presidential election, warning it could seek a court order if the county does not comply.

Michigan’s governor Gretchen Whitmer, Attorney General Dana Nessel, and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson criticized the request and said it “does not make sense.”

State officials argued the DOJ is relying on previously dismissed 2020 voter fraud claims that they describe as baseless.

Whitmer said the move could undermine confidence in Michigan’s election system and represents federal interference, Click on Detroit has reported.

The dispute comes amid rising political tensions ahead of upcoming statewide and national elections.