The 2026 Michigan Secretary of State election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the secretary of state of Michigan. Incumbent Democratic secretary of state Jocelyn Benson is term-limited and ineligible to seek a third term, and is running for governor of Michigan. The major-party nominees were decided at state party conventions in August 2026. Democratic lieutenant governor Garlin Gilchrist and Republican Macomb County clerk Anthony Forlini are the nominees for their respective parties.
Democratic convention Candidates Nominee Garlin Gilchrist, lieutenant governor of Michigan (2019–present) (previously ran for governor)
Eliminated at convention Suzanna Shkreli, former Michigan Lottery commissioner (2024–2025) and nominee for in 2016
Withdrawn
Barbara Byrum, Ingham County clerk (2013–present) and former state representative from the 67th district (2007–2012) Aghogho Edevbie, deputy secretary of state (2023–present) (endorsed Gilchrist) Adam Hollier, former state senator from the 2nd district (2018–2022) and candidate for Michigan's 13th congressional district in 2022 and 2024 (ran for state senate)
Declined Jeremy Moss, president pro tempore of the Michigan Senate (2023–present) from the 7th district (2019–present) (running for U.S. House)
Endorsements
Fundraising Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate. Campaign finance reports as of August 13, 2026CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handBarbara Byrum (D)$338,912$338,912$0Aghogho Edevbie (D)$331,662$330,507$1,155Garlin Gilchrist (D)$1,763,060$727,600$1,035,459Adam Hollier (D)$458,741$458,741$0Suzanna Shkreli (D)$302,498$225$302,273Source: Michigan Secretary of State
Republican convention Candidates
Nominee Anthony Forlini, Macomb County clerk (2020–present)
Eliminated at convention Amanda Love, Clarkston Community Schools trustee Monica Yatooma, strategic partnerships director Timothy Smith
Withdrawn
Articia Bomer (endorsed Forlini)
Endorsements
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of August 6, 2026CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handAnthony Forlini (R)$494,975$198,372$296,603Amanda Love (R)$138,606$138,606$0Timothy Smith (R)$23.70$0$23.70Monica Yatooma (R)$151,455$76,781$74,674Source: Michigan Secretary of State
Third-party candidates Libertarian Party Nominee Christine Sloan
Green Party Nominee Eric Borregard, visual artist
U.S. Taxpayers Party Nominee Scott E. Aughney
General election Predictions SourceRankingAs of Sabato's Crystal Ball September 9, 2026
Post-convention endorsements
Debates and forums + 2026 Michigan Secretary of State election debates and forums Date Host Moderator Link Democratic Republican Libertarian Constitution GreenKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Gilchrist Forlini Sloan Aughney Borregard1 September 29, 2026 League of Women Voters of Michigan Judy Florian YouTube 2October 8, 2026UM Ford School of Public PolicyJordyn HermaniZach Gorchow
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error GarlinGilchrist (D) AnthonyForlini (R) UndecidedCygnal (R)/Beacon Research (D)September 18–21, 2026600 (LV)±4.0%41%38%20%Glengariff GroupAugust 31 – September 3, 2026600 (LV)± 4.0%42%36%22%
Results
See also
2026 United States secretary of state elections 2026 Michigan elections
Notes
Partisan clients
References
External links Official campaign websites Anthony Forlini (R) Garlin Gilchrist (D) Christine Sloan (L)