Michigan Secretary of State Benson Recuses Herself from Gubernatorial Race Oversight
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson will step back from gubernatorial race oversight while running for governor, establishing firewalls to prevent conflicts of interest in November’s election.
LANSING, MICHIGAN — Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced Wednesday that she will recuse herself from election procedures that could affect the gubernatorial race while running as a Democratic candidate for governor in November 2026. The Department of State has established a set of firewalls to prevent any potential conflicts of interest.
Benson will delegate responsibilities for all gubernatorial race-related decisions to the director of elections, according to a press release from the department. She sent a policy memorandum to the Michigan Board of State Canvassers outlining the specific measures being implemented.
Scope of Recusal
The policy dictates that Benson will be excluded from several election processes. She will not be informed of affidavit of identity disqualifications, candidate or ballot measure petition submissions, recount petitions, and post-election audit results until after the Board of State Canvassers has completed the relevant processes.
Benson will also be isolated from conversations regarding declaratory ruling requests and campaign finance law violations. The Board of State Canvassers, which already certifies results for all statewide and federal elections and state legislative races that cross county lines, will maintain its oversight role.
Historical Precedent
“Michigan secretaries of state have a long history of simultaneously running for office while successfully administering Michigan’s elections in partnership with the Board of State Canvassers,” Benson said in the press release. She noted that the current processes largely reflect how the Bureau of Elections handled potential conflicts of interest during her reelection campaign in 2022.
The announcement comes as Benson seeks to balance her constitutional duties as the state’s chief election officer with her campaign for governor. Her recusal ensures that the integrity of the electoral process remains intact while she pursues higher office.
Election Administration Structure
Under the new firewall policy, the director of elections will assume responsibility for all decisions that could impact the gubernatorial contest. This delegation of authority creates a clear separation between Benson’s role as a candidate and the administrative functions of her office.
The Michigan Board of State Canvassers will continue to serve as the final arbiter for election certification, maintaining its role in overseeing statewide races. The board’s existing procedures for reviewing and certifying election results remain unchanged under the new policy framework.
The Department of State’s announcement emphasizes the proactive nature of these measures, designed to address any potential conflicts before they arise during the election cycle. The policy takes effect immediately and will remain in place through the completion of the November 2026 election cycle.
