Election administration and the 2020 election are hot topics in the Michigan gubernatorial race

November 2, 2026

Michigan's gubernatorial race pits Republican U.S. Representative John James against Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in a contest centered around election administration credibility. Benson is campaigning on her record overseeing highly-ranked elections since 2019, while James has made unsubstantiated claims that she "rigged and manipulated" the 2020 election process and has aligned himself with former President Trump's stolen election narrative. Despite Republican attacks on election integrity, recent polling shows public trust in Michigan elections has actually improved since 2020, with 77% of likely voters expressing confidence in vote counting.

Who is affected

Jocelyn Benson (Democratic candidate and current Secretary of State)
U.S. Rep. John James (Republican gubernatorial candidate)
Michigan voters
Local election clerks throughout Michigan
Jay DeBoyer (GOP lieutenant governor candidate and former St. Clair County clerk)
Anthony Forlini (Macomb County clerk running for secretary of state)
Election officials and poll workers facing increased threats and intimidation
Non-citizens charged with voting violations in Michigan

What action is being taken

Benson has recused herself from the bulk of elections-related work
Michigan has charged a number of people since 2024 for voting despite not being U.S. citizens, and others are under investigation
Both campaigns are actively using election administration as a central campaign issue

Why it matters

This race is significant because it directly tests whether a candidate's stance on election integrity can determine their fitness to lead a state. The contest highlights the broader national trend of politicians undermining public trust in elections by claiming they are only fair when their side wins. Even if unsuccessful, such rhetoric can erode confidence in democratic processes, increase threats against election workers, make it harder to recruit poll workers, and complicate the jobs of election administrators. The race also demonstrates how election denialism has become a litmus test for Republican candidates seeking Trump's endorsement and maintaining party loyalty.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com