FLINT, MI -- Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit that seeks to remove a Flint City Council member over allegations of misconduct involving absentee ballots cast in her election.

Attorneys for Benson filed the motion to dismiss the case filed by Beverly Biggs-Leavy, who lost a special election to fill a 3rd Ward vacancy on the council, last week in U.S. District Court for the Eastern Division of Michigan.

Biggs-Leavy sued election officials, including Benson, in August after losing the council election to write-in candidate LaShawn Johnson, who was seated as a council member after the Genesee County Board of Canvassers certified results showing she received 322 votes compared to Biggs-Leavy’s 226.

A.C. Dumas, a third candidate in the race, r

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