A conservative political organization is suing the cities of Lansing and Flint over the use of grant money for election operations.
The grants are from the non-profit Center for Tech and Civic Life. The center awarded $440-thousand dollars to Lansing. Flint got more than $475-thousand.
That’s now being challenged by a group called the Election Integrity Fund. The lawsuit argues that it isn’t legal to use private grant money for election operations.
Thomas More Society associate attorney Tim Griffin is working with the plaintiffs. He’s concerned with private money being spent by local governments to get out the vote in largely Democratic areas.
“That’s kind of what we’re seeing all across the nation, is these private organizations, they’re getting involved in areas that just benefit them politically, with a clear political motive,” said Griffin.
Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope says the money would be spent on new ballot drop boxes and hazard pay for election workers during the pandemic. He declined to comment on the lawsuit.