Updates About Legislature

This week, both the Michigan and U.S. Supreme Courts rejected separate legal challenges that sought to put a proposed constitutional amendment addressing citizenship verification and voter identification on the November election ballot, ending the initiative’s chances this year.

The group behind the initiative, Americans for Citizens Voting Michigan, submitted nearly 710,000 signatures, well above the 446,198 required to be considered. However, upon review of a random sample of the signatures, the Bureau of Elections determined the campaign fell three valid signatures short for validity. The Board of State Canvassers then deadlocked over whether additional voter affidavits should be counted.

The group subsequently asked both courts to intervene and place the proposal on the ballot. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to intervene and did not state why. The Michigan Supreme Court declined to order the Board of State Canvassers to certify the proposal, and suggested that the Legislature review state law governing the timing and process for petition signature reviews.

Below are key highlights from Michigan’s 2026 primary election that took place on August 4th.

Current Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, won the Democratic nomination for Governor in a landslide, beating Genesee County Sheriff, Chris Swanson. The Republican side of the Governor’s primary was a bit closer. Congressman John James clinched the nomination over Businessman Perry Johnson. James will now face off against Jocelyn Benson in the general election.

In the Democratic Primary for the U.S. Senate, Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive and former public health official, was victorious. El-Sayed edged out moderate Congresswoman Haley Stevens and will now face Republican Mike Rogers in the highly anticipated general election. In the 2024 U.S. Senate election, Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin defeated Rogers by a slim 19,000 vote margin.

The U.S. House election had numerous highlights. In MI-04, Democratic State Senator Sean McCann (Kalamazoo) won his primary and will face off against long-time Republican incumbent, Bill Huizenga (Zeeland). The general election is expected to be close. In MI-07, Will Lawrence (Lansing), a progressive activist, beat out two other more moderate candidates, to earn the Democratic nomination. He will now face Tom Barrett (Charlotte), the freshman Republican Congressman in a highly competitive general election. Democratic State Senator Jeremy Moss (Bloomfield Township) won his primary for the 11th district, the seat vacated by Haley Stevens. Republican candidate Thomas Smith ended up winning the primary in MI-08 despite dropping out of the race to support Trump-backed candidate Amir Haneef Hassan (Flint). In the MI-13 Democratic primary, the progressive State Representative Donovan McKinney (Detroit) toppled the moderate incumbent Congressman Shri Thanedar (Detroit).

In the State Senate primary race, State Rep. Natalie Price (Berkley) won the Democratic primary for SD-10. Current State Rep. Erin Byrnes (Dearborn) lost the Democratic nomination for Michigan 2nd state Senate district (SD-2) to progressive organizer Abbas Alaweih (Dearborn). In an upset, MSU assistant professor Rashida Harrison (East Lansing) won the Democratic primary for SD-28. Harrison is a progressive and will face Republican Julia DeRose (Dewitt) in the general election. State Rep. Phil Skaggs (East Grand Rapids) lost his bid for the Democratic nominee in SD-29, where East Grand Rapids City Commissioner Abbie Groff-Blaszak (East Grand Rapids) came out on top. In a contentious three-way primary for the Republican nomination in SD-33, State Rep. Gina Johnsen (Portland) defeated Katie DeBoer (Cannon) and Rep. Joseph Fox (Fremont). Finally, State Rep. Dave Prestin (Cedar River) defeated former State Rep. Beau LaFave (Iron Mountain) in the GOP Primary for SD-38. In the general election, he will face Kelli Van Ginhoven (D-Escanaba) and former State Rep. Sara Cambensy (Marquette) who is running as an independent.

In the State House Primary, Democratic State Rep. Helena Scott (Detroit) lost her primary bid in the 8th House district (HD-8) to progressive challenger Chris Gilmer-Hill (Detroit). Former Republican State Rep. Lynn Afendoulis (Grand Rapids) won the GOP primary for HD-90. The seat is being vacated by Republican House Majority Floor Leader Bryan Posthumus (Rockford). Finally, Republican Rep. Steve Carra defended his seat from a more moderate primary challenger.

Full results can be viewed here.

Last week, Republican gubernatorial candidate Congressman John James announced his choice of having current State Representative Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay) as his running mate. DeBoyer been in his role of state representative for the past four years. He currently serves as House Associate Speaker Pro Tempore and the House Oversight Committee Chair.

As Chair of the Oversight Committee, DeBoyer has led aggresive investigations into Michigan’s election system, Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel, the office of Secretary of State, and has led part of the House Republican effort to root out “fraud, waste, and abuse.” His selection is expected to help with the blue-collar, grassroots anti-establishment wing of the party. James’ running mate announcement was made ahead of the August 22nd Michigan Republican Party Convention, which will confirm the statewide candidates for the November election. Alternative candidates can still be proposed and nominated by delegates at the convention.

Current Secretary of State, and Democratic Gubernatorial candidate, Jocelyn Benson, is expected to announce her pick in the next week ahead of the August 25 deadline.