<aside> 🗳️ About This Report
This report aims to build confidence in Michigan’s voting system by shedding light on the processes, checks, and quality assurance steps in place that ensure fair and free elections, and, ultimately, a stronger democracy.
In this report you will find a detailed overview of the processes and offices and personnel that govern vote counting and certification, as well as a timeline of key dates. We have also identified potential process and personnel vulnerabilities to better help our pro-democracy partners monitor our elections and target corrective action to protect the integrity of our elections.
Please note, throughout the report, the blue ballot icon indicates research on legal and election process questions. The orange ballot icon indicates strategic research and potential threats. If you would like to share any feedback on this report or have questions for our research team, contact us at: info[at]informingdemocracy[dot]org.
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Elections in Michigan are primarily administered on the local level by over 1,700 election offices across the state. At the local level, municipal officers are responsible for the majority of election-related tasks on and immediately after Election Day. Boards of County Canvassers, each made up of two Republican members and two Democratic members, are responsible for tabulating, canvassing, and certifying county elections. At the state level, the Board of State Canvassers canvasses and certifies the results of statewide and multi-county elections.
Michigan’s canvassing and certification processes have a strong statutory foundation, as well as clear guidance from the Secretary of State via an Election Officials’ Manual. State law also includes a number of protections in place to safeguard its election processes from those seeking to undermine election results, including a requirement that the Board of State Canvassers step in if a Board of County Canvassers fails to certify, the availability of a writ of mandamus to compel the Board of State Canvassers to act, and criminal penalties for individuals who fail to comply with election law. In addition, the current Secretary of State has shown a willingness to use the office’s powers of oversight and enforcement when election officials have refused to comply with the law.
Recent updates to state law have also strengthened election integrity in Michigan, including an amendment to the state constitution in 2022 that made it explicit that the certification of elections is a ministerial duty and legislation in 2024 to narrow the circumstances in which a recount may be requested.
This section provides information about the key officers and personnel in charge of election administration in Michigan. Click on each office below for complete details.
Org Chart: Michigan Election Administration
Governor + Lieutenant Governor
Director of the Bureau of Elections
State Legislature: Senate + House of Representatives
State Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Circuit Court
Board of County Election Commissioners
This section provides information about key election administration processes that occur at the county and state levels in Michigan. Most of Michigan’s election administration process steps are outlined in state statute. Additional guidance comes from the Secretary of State, Michigan’s chief election officer. Click on each process section below for complete details.
Voter Challenges + Challenged Ballots
Legal Protection for Canvass + Certification
Because Michigan election law itself is strong, many of the election vulnerabilities in Michigan are created and sustained by bad faith actors violating settled law. After 2020, Michigan remains a target for those seeking to perpetuate election conspiracies, and as a result, the state’s elections remain vulnerable to the threats posed by such conspiracies. We highlight problems that have occurred in the past, as well as areas that may be vulnerable this election cycle. We have also identified specific election officials who have indicated a willingness to interfere with free and fair election administration.
Read more about potential vulnerabilities here: