Michigan voters will choose a new secretary of state this November, a role that oversees the 2028 presidential election, driver‑license services and vehicle registration. After eight years of Democrat Jocelyn Benson, the race pits Republican Macomb County clerk Anthony Forlini against Democratic lieutenant governor Garlin Gilchrist.
Voter‑roll transparency and federal cooperation
Both candidates say clean voter rolls are essential, but they differ on how to work with the federal government. Forlini, a lifelong Republican, said he would welcome cooperation with any administration, even President Trump’s, to identify non‑citizens on the rolls. “If President Trump called me and said, ‘Hey, we want to make sure the voting rolls are clean. Can we work together?’ I would say yes,” he told Votebeat.
Gilchrist, a former engineer and current lieutenant governor, rejected the idea of handing over the unredacted roll. “When people give their data to the government, they expect us to protect it, not fork it over to the president for his priorities,” he said, emphasizing privacy and state sovereignty.
Campaign‑finance transparency
Both candidates agree the Michigan Transparency Network (MiTN) needs a overhaul. Forlini highlighted his county’s move to online filing, which freed staff time and reduced errors. He warned that “campaigns need to stop leaving critical donor information out,” and pledged stricter oversight.
Gilchrist introduced his “Stand TALL” plan—Transparency, Accountability, Limits, and Looking forward—aimed at real‑time enforcement of campaign‑finance violations and mandatory disclosure of dark‑money donors. “It’s hard for us to deal with dirty and dark money if we can’t see it,” he said.
Improving motor‑vehicle services
Both candidates see the Secretary of State office as the “front door” for most Michiganders. Gilchrist wants walk‑in options alongside appointments, more self‑service kiosks in retail locations, and mobile units on college campuses. Forlini echoed these ideas, adding that phone service should be more reliable and staff cross‑trained.
Election education and combating misinformation
Gilchrist warned that “conspiracy theorists” thrive on a lack of voter knowledge. He proposes creative voter‑education tools, likening them to the classic Schoolhouse Rock videos, to give citizens clear insight into how elections work.
Forlini, meanwhile, has already launched a Ballot Verifier tool in Macomb County that posts images of each ballot after an election, giving the public a transparent view of the process while preserving voter confidentiality.
Legal backdrop
The next secretary of state will inherit a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration seeking the unredacted Michigan voter roll. A district court dismissed the case in February, and an appeals court affirmed the dismissal in June. The dispute could still reach the U.S. Supreme Court.
While the litigation underscores the federal push for election integrity, both candidates stress that any action must respect Michigan voters’ privacy and the state’s constitutional authority over elections.
What’s next
Votebeat’s debate in Ann Arbor on Oct. 8 will be streamed live Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Eastern. Voters can compare the candidates’ detailed plans and decide which vision best safeguards Michigan’s elections, protects personal data, and modernizes motor‑vehicle services.
Original reporting: BridgeDetroit — read the source article.
