(LANSING) - Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says she plans to challenge President Donald Trump's new election executive order in court, calling it "illegal on its face."
Trump signed the order Tuesday night under the title "Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections." The directive calls for a stronger federal role in verifying voter eligibility, regulating mail-in ballots and investigating potential election-related crimes.
Benson says election administration is the responsibility of the states, not the president, and argues the order oversteps federal authority. In a statement, she said the move came after Congress failed to approve Trump's federal voting legislation.
The order also directs the U.S. Postal Service to develop national standards for mail-in and absentee ballots.
Benson says Michigan will move quickly to fight the order in court.