STATE OF MICHIGAN

COURT OF CLAIMS

ROBERT GENETSKI, County of Allegan Clerk,

individually and in his official capacity, and OPINION AND ORDER GRANTING
MICHIGAN REPUBLICAN PARTY, SUMMARY DISPOSITION IN PART TO
PLAINTIFFS AND GRANTING
Plaintiffs, SUMMARY DISPOSITION IN PART TO
DEFENDANTS

v Case No. 20-000216-MM

JOCELYN BENSON, in her official capacity, and Hon. Christopher M. Murray

JONATHAN BRATER, Director of Elections, in
his official capacity,

Defendants.
___________________________/

Before the Court is defendants’ January 20, 2021 motion for summary disposition filed

pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(4) and (C)(8), as well as plaintiffs’ February 3, 2021 cross-motion for

summary disposition filed pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(8). Plaintiffs’ cross-motion will be

GRANTED in part with respect to Count II of the amended complaint because the challenged

signature-matching standards were issued in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act. As

a result of the grant of summary disposition in plaintiffs’ favor on Count II, Count I of the amended

complaint will be dismissed without prejudice. In addition, defendants’ motion for summary

disposition will be GRANTED in part with respect to Counts III and IV of the amended complaint.

I. BACKGROUND

The issues raised implicate signature-matching requirements for absent voter ballot

applications and absent voter ballot return envelopes contained in this state’s election law. MCL

-1-
168.759 and MCL 168.761 require voters to sign applications for absent voter ballots in order to

receive a ballot. In addition, this state’s election laws require voters who choose to vote by absent

voter ballot to sign their absent voter ballot return envelopes in order to have their ballots counted.

MCL 168.764a. The signatures on the applications and the return envelopes are compared against

signatures in the qualified voter file or those that appear on the “master registration card” in order

to determine whether the signatures match. Signatures on applications or return envelopes that do

not “agree sufficiently” with those on file are to be rejected. MCL 168.761(2). As of October 6,

2020, MCL 168.761(2) 1 was amended by 2020 PA 177 to give notice to voters’ whose signatures

do not “agree sufficiently” with those on file that their absent voter ballot application has been

rejected. The purpose of the notice is to give voters the opportunity to correct inaccuracies with

absent voter ballot signatures. The same notice requirements also apply to rejected signatures for

absent voter ballots. MCL 168.765a(6). There is no dispute that this state’s election law does not

define what it means for signatures to “agree” or to “agree sufficiently” for purposes of comparing

the signature on file with the signature on a received absent voter ballot application or absent voter

ballot.

On the day PA 177 became effective, defendant Jocelyn Benson issued what defendants

refer to as “guidance” for local clerks who are charged with inspecting signatures on absent voter

ballot applications and ballots. The document, which was entitled “Absent Voter Ballot

Processing: Signature Verification and Voter Notification Standards” largely mirrored guidance

1
2020 PA 302 further amended MCL 168.761 and other provisions of this state’s election law.
Those amendments do not become effective until June 27, 2021. This opinion and order only
examines those provisions of the statute that are currently in effect at this time. And no issues
have been raised with respect to the yet-to-be-effective statutory requirements.

-2-
defendant Benson had previously issued. This guidance regarding signature verification forms the

heart of the issues in the present case and it requires additional examination.

The stated purpose of the at-issue document was to “provide[ ] standards” for reviewing

signatures, verifying signatures, and curing missing or mismatched signatures. Under a heading

entitled “Procedures for Signature Verification,” the document stated that signature review “begins

with the presumption that” the signature on an absent voter ballot application or envelope is valid.

Further, the form instructs clerks to, if there are “any redeeming qualities in the [absent voter]

application or return envelope signature as compared to the signature on file, treat the signature as

valid.” (Emphasis in original). “Redeeming qualities” are described as including, but not being

limited to, “similar distinctive flourishes,” and “more matching features than nonmatching

features.” Signatures “should be considered questionable” the guidance explained, only if they

differ “in multiple, significant and obvious respects from the signature on file.” (Emphasis in

original). “[W]henever possible,” election officials were to resolve “[s]light dissimilarities” in

favor of finding that the voter’s signature was valid. 2

The section on signature-verification procedures goes on to repeat the notion that “clerks

should presume that a voter’s [absent voter] application or envelope signature is his or her genuine

signature, as there are several acceptable reasons that may cause an apparent mismatch.”

(Emphasis omitted). Next, the guidance gave excuses or hypothetical explanations for why

signatures on absent voter ballot applications and absent voter ballots might not be an exact match

to those that are on file. Finally, the document again mentioned the presumption when, in

2
The guidance included a chart with what were deemed to be acceptable and unacceptable
“defects” in signatures.

-3-
conclusion, it stated that clerks “must perform their signature verification duties with the

presumption that the voter’s [absent voter] application or envelope signature is his or her genuine

signature.” (Emphasis added). By all accounts, the guidance set forth in that document was not

limited to the then-upcoming November 2020 general election, nor has it been rescinded. Rather,

it appears that the guidance remains in effect for local clerks with respect to upcoming elections.

II. PLAINTIFFS’ COMPLAINT

Plaintiff Robert Genetski is the Allegan County Clerk. He, along with plaintiff Michigan

Republican Party, filed a complaint alleging that defendant Benson’s October 6, 2020 guidance is

unlawful. The December 30, 2020 amended complaint alleges that the presumption in favor of

finding valid signatures is unlawful, as is the directive to find “any redeeming qualities” for

signatures. They contend that the presumption contained in the guidance issued by defendant

Benson will allow invalid votes to be counted. Plaintiff Genetski has not, however, alleged that

this guidance caused him to accept a signature that he believed was invalid.

The four-count amended complaint asks the Court to issue declaratory and injunctive relief

with respect to future elections. Count I alleges that defendant Benson violated various provisions

of this state’s election law by issuing the challenged guidance regarding signature-matching

requirements which allegedly conflicts with this state’s election law. They ask the Court to issue

injunctive relief to remedy the allegedly unlawful guidance. Additionally, they seek a declaratory

ruling regarding the validity of defendant Benson’s guidance.

Count II of the amended complaint alleges that defendant Benson’s guidance was a “rule”

as defined by the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) that was issued without compliance with

the APA. Plaintiffs allege that the guidance is in fact a rule because it is generally applicable and

-4-
requires local election officials to apply a mandatory presumption of validity to signatures.

Plaintiffs ask the Court to declare that the “rule” is invalid.

Count III alleges a violation of Const 1963, art 1, §§ 2 and 5, as defendant Benson’s

guidance will result in the counting of invalid absent voter ballots which will ultimately result in

the dilution of valid votes cast by this state’s electorate. They argue that defendant Benson’s

guidance is so vague and imprecise that it cannot be applied uniformly throughout the state. 3

Count IV alleges that plaintiff Genetski had a right to request an audit of his choosing under

Const 1963, art 2, § 4(1)(h) as it relates to absent voter ballots. Plaintiffs acknowledge that

defendants have announced and/or completed a state-wide audit of the November 2020 general

election; however, according to plaintiffs, the audit does not address plaintiffs’ concerns because

it did not review whether signatures on absent voter ballots were properly evaluated. Plaintiffs ask

the Court to declare that the right to request an audit under art 2, § 4(1)(h) encompasses the type

of absent-voter-ballot review requested in the amended complaint. Plaintiff also suggests the

manner in which such an audit should be conducted.

III. ANALYSIS

A. MOOTNESS AND RIPENESS

Defendants argue that this Court should refrain from evaluating the merits of plaintiffs’

complaint because the issues are either moot or not ripe. With respect to mootness, there is no

dispute that Count III, which raises an equal protection claim arising out of the November 2020

3
Plaintiffs’ briefing has conceded that this claim is now moot, with the November 2020 election
having already come and gone. As a result, the Court will not address this claim in any additional
detail.

-5-
general election, is moot and must be dismissed. However, the Court declines to find that

plaintiffs’ remaining challenges are either moot or not ripe. Those issues concern the validity of

guidance that is still in effect (Counts I and II), or an audit (Count IV) that, according to the plain

text of art 2, § 4(1)(h) and MCL 168.31a, may be requested after the election has occurred.

Moreover, defendants have not advanced a specific mootness/ripeness argument with respect to

the audit claim. As a result, the Court declines to find that the issues raised in Counts I, II, and IV

of the amended complaint would have no practical effect on an existing controversy or that it

would be impossible to render relief. Cf. Garrett v Washington, 314 Mich App 436, 449-450; 886

NW2d 762 (2016) (describing the mootness doctrine).

The Court also rejects defendants’ contention that there is no actual controversy. As noted,

plaintiffs seek declaratory relief. MCR 2.605(A)(1) requires that there be “a case of actual

controversy” for the issuance of declaratory relief. “In general, ‘actual controversy’ exists where

a declaratory judgment or decree is necessary to guide a plaintiff’s future conduct in order to

preserve his legal rights.” Shavers v Kelley, 402 Mich 554, 588; 267 NW2d 72 (1978). Here,

plaintiffs—particularly plaintiff Genetski, who is a local clerk subject to the guidance at issue—

sought a declaration regarding whether he is and will continue to be subject to guidance that by all

accounts remains in effect at this time. This clearly presents an actual controversy that is

appropriate for declaratory relief. See id.

Defendants argue that no actual controversy exists because the Legislature could change

the applicable law, or because defendant Benson could decide to revoke the guidance. That

argument would seek to turn the requirements of declaratory relief on their head and would

eviscerate the purpose of declaratory relief. If the Court were to adopt the view that no actual

controversy exists because the law could change, there could be no limit to the number of cases

-6-
that could be dismissed as moot. Here, plaintiffs have sought a declaration as to their legal rights

with respect to the validity of a currently existing directive issued by defendant Benson in advance

of the next election. That the law could hypothetically change in the future is not a reason to avoid

issuing a declaration of the parties’ currently existing legal rights, as plaintiffs have sought here.

Indeed, the ability to seek an advance declaration of legal rights on an existing policy is one of the

very reasons why the declaratory judgment rule was adopted in the first instance. See UAW v

Central Mich Univ Trustees, 295 Mich App 486, 496; 815 NW2d 132 (2012) (discussing the

purposes of the declaratory judgment rule).

B. WHETHER DEFENDANT’S ACTIONS VIOLATED THE APA

The dispositive issue, as the Court see it, concerns the APA and whether defendant Benson

was required to comply with the APA when she issued the “Signature Verification and Voter

Notification Standards.” The Secretary of State has authority, under MCL 168.31(1)(a), to “issue

instructions and promulgate rules pursuant to the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA

306, MCL 24.201 to 24.328, for the conduct of elections and registrations in accordance with the

laws of this state.” Under the APA, a “rule” is defined as “an agency regulation, statement,

standard, policy, ruling, or instruction of general applicability that implements or applies law

enforced or administered by the agency, or that prescribes the organization, procedure, or practice

of the agency, including the amendment, suspension, or rescission of the law enforced or

administered by the agency.” 4 MCL 24.207. A “rule” not promulgated in accordance with the

4
There is no dispute that defendant Benson is subject to the APA, generally. See MCL 24.203(2)
(defining “agency” in a way that includes the Secretary of State). The only dispute is whether this
particular action is subject to the APA.

-7-
APA’s procedures is invalid. MCL 24.243; MCL 24.245; Pharris v Secretary of State, 117 Mich

App 202, 205; 323 NW2d 652 (1982).

An agency must utilize formal APA rulemaking procedures when establishing policies that

“do not merely interpret or explain the statute or rules from which the agency derives its

authority,” but rather “establish the substantive standards implementing the program.”

Faircloth v Family Indep Agency, 232 Mich App 391, 403-404; 591 NW2d 314 (1998). “[I]n

order to reflect the APA’s preference for policy determinations pursuant to rules, the definition of

‘rule’ is to be broadly construed, while the exceptions are to be narrowly construed.” AFSCME v

Dep’t of Mental Health, 452 Mich 1, 10; 550 NW2d 190 (1996). It is a question of law whether

an agency policy is invalid because it was not promulgated as a rule under the APA. In re PSC

Guidelines for Transactions Between Affiliates, 252 Mich App 254, 263; 652 NW2d 1 (2002).

As for whether the guidance or directive at issue is a “rule” subject to the APA, the Court

must look beyond the labels used by the agency and make an independent determination of whether

the action taken by the agency was permissible or whether it was an impermissible rule that evaded

the APA’s requirements. AFSCME, 452 Mich at 9. In other words, the Court “must review the

actual action undertaken by the directive, to see whether the policy being implemented has the

effect of being a rule.” Id. (citation and quotation marks omitted).

Examining the “Signature Verification and Voter Notification Standards” through that

lens, the Court agrees with plaintiffs that the same constitutes a “rule” that should have been

promulgated pursuant to the APA’s procedures. The standards are generally applicable to all

absent voter ballot applications and absent voter ballots, and it contains a mandatory statement

from defendant, this state’s chief election officer, see MCL 168.21, declaring that all local clerks

-8-
“must perform their signature verification duties” in accordance with the instructions. (Emphasis

added). In addition, clerks must presume that signatures are valid. That this presumption is

mandatory convinces the Court that it is not merely guidance, but instead is a generally applied

standard that implements this state’s signature-matching laws. See MCL 24.207 (defining “rule”);

AFSCME, 451 Mich at 8 (describing what constitutes a “rule” under the APA); Spear v Mich

Rehab Servs, 202 Mich App 1, 5; 507 NW2d 761 (1993) (focusing on the mandatory nature of

policies in support of the conclusion that the same constituted a “rule” under the APA).

Defendants cite three statutory exceptions to rulemaking—MCL 24.207(g), (h), and (j)—

but the Court is not persuaded that the standards are saved by any of these exceptions. The first

argument is that MCL 24.207(j), which is sometimes referred to as the “permissive power

exception,” applies and exempts the standards from the APA’s rulemaking requirements. MCL

24.207(j) exempts from the APA’s definition of “rule,” a “decision by an agency to exercise or not

to exercise a permissive statutory power, although private rights or interests are affected.” Here,

defendant Benson points to MCL 168.31(1)(a) as the source of her “permissive statutory power.”

That statute provides that the Secretary of State “shall” “issue instructions and promulgate rules

pursuant to the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.201 to 24.328, for

the conduct of elections and registrations in accordance with the laws of this state.” MCL

168.31(1)(a). According to defendant Benson, MCL 168.31(1)(a) allows her to eschew the rule-

making process in order to issue “instructions” like the standards at issue.

The Court disagrees. First, the Court disagrees with defendants’ characterization of the

standards at issue, for the reasons stated above. Second, the cited statutory authority requires

defendant Benson to issue instructions that are “in accordance with the laws of this state.” MCL

168.31(1)(a). Here, it is not apparent that the mandatory presumption of signature validity is “in

-9-
accordance with the laws of this state.” 5 To that end, nowhere in this state’s election law has the

Legislature indicated that signatures are to be presumed valid, nor did the Legislature require that

signatures are to be accepted so long as there are any redeeming qualities in the application or

return envelope signature as compared with the signature on file. Policy determinations like the

one at issue—which places a thumb on the scale in favor of a signature’s validity—should be made

pursuant to properly promulgated rules under the APA or by the Legislature. See AFSCME, 452

Mich at 10.

Third, a review of the plain language of MCL 168.31(1) and of caselaw discussing the

permissive-power exemption does not support defendants’ argument. 6 The primary problem with

defendant Benson’s argument is that the language in MCL 168.31(1) is too generic to support her

positions. MCL 168.31(1)(a) simply states that the secretary shall “issue instructions and

promulgate rules pursuant to the” APA “for the conduct of elections.” If that were sufficient to

constitute an explicit or implicit grant of authority to be excepted from the APA rule-making

process, then defendants would never have to issue APA-promulgated rules for any election-

related matters. This view, where the exception would effectively swallow the rule, does

not find support in caselaw. See, e.g., AFSCME, 452 Mich at 12. That is, while defendant has

statutory discretion to decide whether to take certain actions, the implementation of her

discretionary decisions—absent a more precise directive than is contained in the statutes at issue—

5
Given that the standards are invalid for being enacted without compliance with the APA, the
Court declines, for now, to determine whether the mandatory presumption imposed is contrary to
the law, as plaintiffs have alleged in Count I. Resolution of that issue becomes unnecessary in
light of the decision to grant relief to plaintiffs on Count II of the complaint.
6
The Court incorporates and restates its reasoning and discussion of a similar issue from Davis v
Benson, (Docket Nos. 20-000207-MZ & 20-000208-MM).

-10-
must still adhere to the APA if that implementation takes the form of a rule. See id. (recognizing

that the Department of Mental Health did not need to take a certain action; however, once the

Department exercised its discretion to act, the implementation of the decision “must be

promulgated as a rule.”); Spear, 202 Mich App at 5 (holding that while the agency’s “decision to

employ a needs test represents the discretionary exercise of statutory authority exempt from the

definition of a rule under [MCL 24.207(j)], the test itself, which is developed by the agency, is not

exempt from the definition of a rule and, therefore, must be promulgated as a rule in compliance

with the Administrative Procedures Act.”). Thus, while defendant Benson undoubtedly has

discretion under MCL 168.31 to issue guidance or to instruct local clerks regarding signature

validity requirements, the implementation of her discretionary decision can still be subject to the

APA’s requirements.

Furthermore, the caselaw relied on by defendants in arguing for a different conclusion is

easily distinguishable, and, in some cases, even lends support for the Court’s conclusion. See e.g.,

Detroit Base Coalition for Human Rights of Handicapped v Dep’t of Social Servs, 431 Mich 172,

187-188; 428 NW2d 335 (1988); Mich Trucking Ass’n v Mich Pub Serv Comm, 225 Mich App

424, 430; 571 NW2d 734 (1997); By Lo Oil Co v Dep’t of Treasury, 267 Mich App 19, 47; 703

NW2d 822 (2005). In the cases cited above, the pertinent agency’s enabling statute expressly or

impliedly authorized the specific action later taken by the administrative agency; additionally, and

significantly, those statutes also permitted the specific action to be achieved either through

rulemaking or other means. See Detroit Base Coalition, 428 Mich at 187-188 (“The situations in

which courts have recognized decisions of [an agency] as being within the [MCL 24.207(j)]

exception are those in which explicit or implicit authorization for the actions in question has been

found.”). Here, MCL 168.31(1) provides generalized authority to defendant, and it lacks

-11-
specificity with respect to the action taken (implementation of a mandatory presumption of

signature validity), making the statute distinguishable from the statutes at issue in cases such as

Detroit Base Coalition, Mich Trucking Ass’n, and By Lo Oil Co. 7

Defendants raise concerns that this Court’s interpretation of MCL 168.31(1)(a) would

leave the term “instructions” without any practical effect. According to defendants, this Court’s

view would raise questions regarding whether defendant Benson could do anything when advising

and directing local election officials as to the proper methods of conducting elections. The Court

disagrees with the premise of defendants’ position because, regardless of what is permissible under

MCL 168.31, it is apparent that that which occurred here is not permissible, absent compliance

with the APA. Here, defendant issued a mandatory directive and required local election officials

to apply a presumption of validity to all signatures on absent voter ballot applications and on absent

voter ballots. The presumption is found nowhere in statute. The mandatory presumption goes

beyond the realm of mere advice and direction, and instead is a substantive directive that adds to

the pertinent signature-matching statutes. And for similar reasons, defendants’ arguments about

efficiency and the need for quick action do not change the Court’s decision. That is, nothing about

the Court’s opinion should be read as limiting the Secretary of State’s ability to take quick action

when she so desires. However, when that action takes the form of a rule, then the APA and MCL

168.31 require that the APA be invoked. In other words, the statute gives the Secretary of State

7
Remarkably, defendants continue to place reliance on the conclusions of the majority in Pyke v
Dep’t of Social Servs, 182 Mich App 619; 453 NW2d 274 (1990). But as noted in prior opinions,
Judge Shepard’s dissent in Pyke was later adopted by the Palozolo Court, and as that Court noted,
its decision was binding under what is now MCR 7.215(J)(1). Palozolo v Dep’t of Social Servs,
189 Mich App 530, 533-534 & n 1; 473 NW2d 765 (1991). The Pyke Court’s view on MCL
24.207(j) is irrelevant.

-12-
the authority and the ability to meet the needs of a situation. But when the action taken constitutes

a “rule” under MCL 24.207, the appropriate procedures must be followed.

Defendants’ citation to the rule-making exceptions contained in MCL 24.207(g) and (h)—

which are the primary exemptions cited in their reply briefing—are no more convincing. Turning

first to MCL 24.207(g), this subsection is an exception to the APA’s rule-making requirements for

an “intergovernmental, interagency, or intra-agency memorandum, directive, or communication

that does not affect the rights of, or procedures and practices available to, the public.” This

exception is inapplicable, however, because the at-issue standard involves a mandatory

presumption that directly affects local election officials’ duties with respect to the determination

of whether a voter’s signature on either an absent voter ballot or a returned ballot will be deemed

to be valid. Cf. Kent Co Aeronautics Bd v Dep’t of State Police, 239 Mich App 563; 609 NW2d

593 (2000) (finding that a directive fit within the exception where it did not create any obligations

or require compliance).

Nor is defendants’ citation to the exception contained in MCL 24.207(h) convincing. That

exception applies to a “form with instructions, an interpretive statement, a guideline, an

informational pamphlet, or other material that in itself does not have the force and effect of law

but is merely explanatory.” MCL 24.207(h). This exception “must be narrowly construed and

requires that the interpretive statement at issue be merely explanatory.” Clonlara, Inc v State Bd

of Ed, 442 Mich 230, 248; 501 NW2d 88 (1993) (citation and quotation marks omitted). If the

purported “interpretive” statement changes the requirements of the law it is alleged to have

interpreted, the exception does not apply. Id. See also Schinzel v Dep’t of Corrections, 124 Mich

App 217, 221; 333 NW2d 519 (1983). Here, because nothing in this state’s election law refers to

a presumption of validity, let alone a mandatory presumption, the standards at issue cannot be

-13-
deemed to be merely explanatory. See Clonlara, 442 Mich at 248, 251. That is, rather than merely

explaining existing obligations under the law, the standards have imposed new obligations that do

not appear within the plain language of this state’s signature-matching statutes.

In sum, the standards issued by defendant Benson on October 6, 2020, with respect to

signature-matching requirements amounted to a “rule” that should have been promulgated in

accordance with the APA. And absent compliance with the APA, the “rule” is invalid. Whether

defendant Benson had authority to implement that which she did not need not be decided at this

time because it is apparent the APA applied to the type of action taken in this case. Accordingly,

plaintiffs are entitled to summary disposition on Count II of the complaint, and the Court will

dismiss Count I without prejudice as a result.

C. PLAINTIFFS’ AUDIT CLAIMS ARE WITHOUT MERIT

Finally, the Court examines Count IV of the complaint, which concerns plaintiffs’ request

for an audit. Const 1963, art 2, § 4(1)(h), provides that a qualified Michigan voter has the right to

have “the results of statewide elections audited” in a manner prescribed by law. (Emphasis

added). MCL 168.31a, amended after adoption of the aforementioned audit language, provides

as follows:

(1) In order to ensure compliance with the provisions of this act, after each election
the secretary of state may audit election precincts.

(2) The secretary of state shall prescribe the procedures for election audits that
include reviewing the documents, ballots, and procedures used during an election
as required in section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. The secretary
of state and county clerks shall conduct election audits, including statewide election
audits, as set forth in the prescribed procedures. The secretary of state shall train
and certify county clerks and their staffs for the purpose of conducting election
audits of precincts randomly selected by the secretary of state in their counties. An
election audit must include an audit of the results of at least 1 race in each precinct
selected for an audit. A statewide election audit must include an audit of the results

-14-
 of at least 1 statewide race or statewide ballot question in a precinct selected for
an audit. An audit conducted under this section is not a recount and does not change
any certified election results. The secretary of state shall supervise each county
clerk in the performance of election audits conducted under this section.

(3) Each county clerk who conducts an election audit under this section shall
provide the results of the election audit to the secretary of state within 20 days after
the election audit. [Emphasis added.]

Plaintiffs acknowledge that an audit of the November 2020 general election results was

conducted. They argue that they have the right to request an audit with respect to the subject of

their choosing—signatures on absent voter ballot applications and on absent voter ballots—and in

the manner of their choosing. For at least two reasons this claim is not supported by art 2, § 4 or

the implementing statute, MCL 168.31a. First, the constitution speaks of an audit of election

results, not signature-matching procedures. Second, while the statute allows for an audit that

includes “reviewing the documents, ballots, and procedures” used in the election, the statute

plainly leaves it to the Secretary of State to “prescribe the procedures for election audits” and

mandates that the Secretary of State shall conduct audits “as set forth in the prescribed procedures.”

In other words, there is no support in the statute for plaintiffs to demand that an audit cover the

subject of their choosing or to dictate the manner in which an audit is conducted. MCL 168.31a(2)

leaves that to the Secretary of State. As a result, plaintiffs have failed to state a claim on which

relief can be granted as it concerns Count IV, and this count will be dismissed with prejudice

pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(8).

IV. CONCLUSION

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(10), plaintiffs’ cross-motion

for summary disposition is GRANTED in part with respect to Count II of the amended complaint

because the guidance issued by the Secretary of State on October 6, 2020, with respect to signature-

matching standards was issued in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act.

-15-
 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(8) defendants’ motion for

summary disposition is GRANTED in part on Counts III and IV of the amended complaint.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Count I of the amended complaint is dismissed without

prejudice, for the reason that the at-issue standards are invalid under the Administrative Procedures

Act.

This is a final order that resolves the last pending claim and closes the case.

Date: March 9, 2021 ____________________________________

Christopher M. Murray
Judge, Court of Claims

-16-