State leaders will protect Michigan elections from interference and delays

LANSING, Mich. - Today, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, and Attorney General Dana Nessel assured Michiganders that the 2026 elections will proceed as mandated by the U.S. Constitution, federal, and state law. State officials will not tolerate any attempt to interfere, delay, or intimidate.

Their statements come in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais that eliminated key protections in the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965. Governor Jeff Landry of Louisiana subsequently took unprecedented action to suspend the state's U.S. Congressional elections, which are already in progress. On Thursday, Tennessee state lawmakers approved and Governor Bill Lee signed into law a new U.S. House map that dismantled the state's only majority-Black district.

"States run elections," Secretary Benson said. "We will not allow anyone - not the president, the Justice Department, or anti-democracy groups and campaigns - to interfere in our secure, independent process. Together, we have and will continue to stand strong against federal overreach, attacks, and interference. Michigan voters can rest assured; we won't cancel elections or permit any political candidate or party to organize voter intimidation crusades targeting our citizens."

"Despite the Supreme Court's recent attack on the Voting Rights Act, Michigan's elections are safe, efficient, fair, and secure," said Governor Whitmer. "Our maps, which were drawn by our independent commission, are fair and will not change. Our elections will go on as planned and executed by more than 1,600 locally elected clerks across Michigan who ensure that every citizen can vote and have their vote counted. I'm proud of our work to defend voting rights in Michigan, from vetoing measures to disenfranchise or intimidate voters to investing millions to improve elections. Secretary of State Benson, Attorney General Nessel, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, and I are united in protecting voting rights and acting as a check and balance to what is happening nationwide. Let's keep working together to uphold the rule of law and protect voting rights."

"Michigan elections are safe and secure," said Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist. "We will not tolerate any attempt at interference or intimidation against our independent process. In Michigan, we will continue to follow state law, federal law, and the U.S. Constitution so that every voter has the opportunity to make their voice heard."

"While other states and the federal government remain focused on sowing chaos and disenfranchising voters because they are terrified of what the outcome may be in upcoming elections, Michiganders should have confidence that my office will fight back against desperate attempts to silence them," said Attorney General Nessel. "We will not be moved by those who prefer intimidation over democracy. The fundamental right to vote should not be up for debate. Michigan elections will remain secure and on schedule."

In 2018, Michigan voters passed a constitutional amendment establishing the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission to draw the state's legislative and congressional districts fairly in a citizen-led, transparent process.

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