Secretary of State of Michigan

Statewide — all of Michigan

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

The seat is open: Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson cannot run for reelection. The Michigan Bureau of Elections' candidate listing for the November 3, 2026 general election names five candidates: Garlin Gilchrist II (Democratic), Anthony Forlini (Republican), Eric Borregard (Green), Christine Sloan (Libertarian) and Scott Aughney (U.S. Taxpayers).[6][1][2]
All five were nominated at party conventions rather than a primary; the state listing records filing dates of August 31, 2026 for Gilchrist, August 24 for Forlini, July 20 for Aughney, June 29 for Sloan and February 23 for Borregard.[6]

On the ballot · 5 candidates

Garlin Gilchrist IIDFull profile →Anthony ForliniRFull profile →Eric BorregardGFull profile →Christine SloanLIBFull profile →Scott AughneyU.S. TaxpayersFull profile →

Issue evidence — side by side

Recorded votes, documented positions and candidates’ own words are shown with sources. “In their own words” quotes a candidate on the topic without inferring a stance. Votes describe specific bills or motions; they do not establish overall support or opposition to a broad issue. A dash means our research has no evidence on that topic, not that the candidate has no position.

Protect legal access to abortion

Garlin Gilchrist II
Supports[4]
His campaign site lists protecting abortion access among his accomplishments working alongside Gov. Whitmer.
Anthony Forlini
—
Eric Borregard
—
Christine Sloan
—
Scott Aughney
—

Require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote

Garlin Gilchrist II
In their own words[2]
“As a process person, I want to make sure that we get that number to zero. I also want to make sure that we are focusing on the right things, and that is again making sure we have a good process,”
Asked about requiring proof of citizenship to register; he said voting is reserved for citizens and that "vanishingly few noncitizens … actually cast ballots"
Anthony Forlini
In their own words[2]
“has some responsibility”
Votebeat's paraphrase and quote: asked about requiring proof of citizenship, Forlini said self-reported citizenship is not enough and the government 'has some responsibility' to verify it
Eric Borregard
—
Christine Sloan
—
Scott Aughney
—

ISSUE	Garlin Gilchrist II D	Anthony Forlini R	Eric Borregard G	Christine Sloan LIB	Scott Aughney U.S. Taxpayers
Protect legal access to abortion	Supports[4] His campaign site lists protecting abortion access among his accomplishments working alongside Gov. Whitmer.	—	—	—	—
Require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote	In their own words[2] “As a process person, I want to make sure that we get that number to zero. I also want to make sure that we are focusing on the right things, and that is again making sure we have a good process,” Asked about requiring proof of citizenship to register; he said voting is reserved for citizens and that "vanishingly few noncitizens … actually cast ballots"	In their own words[2] “has some responsibility” Votebeat's paraphrase and quote: asked about requiring proof of citizenship, Forlini said self-reported citizenship is not enough and the government 'has some responsibility' to verify it	—	—	—

Research notes & limits

Slate confirmed against the Michigan Bureau of Elections' official November 2026 general-election candidate listing, and by Votebeat and Michigan Advance. Ballotpedia returned a WAF page and was not used; Wikipedia citations were removed. Campaign finance and polling omitted per brief.

Sources · 16

Researched 2026-10-19. Green citations are official government records.

1.A complete guide to everything on Michigan's ballot this November · Votebeat · 2026-09-16 News report
2.Michigan secretary of state candidates share election policies · Votebeat · 2026-03-02 News report
3.Michigan secretary of state candidates weigh in on election transparency, Trump administration · Michigan Advance / Votebeat · 2026-10-08 News report
4.Garlin Gilchrist for Secretary of State · Garlin Gilchrist for Secretary of State Candidate's own words
5.Anthony G. Forlini for Michigan Secretary of State · Anthony G. Forlini for Secretary of State Candidate's own words
6.Candidate Listing Report: November 3, 2026 General Election · Michigan Bureau of Elections · 2026-10-19 Official record
7.Michigan secretary of state candidates share election policies · Votebeat · 2026-03-02 News report
8.Michigan secretary of state candidates weigh in on election transparency, Trump administration · Michigan Advance / Votebeat · 2026-10-08 News report
9.Michigan Democrats choose Lt. Gov. Gilchrist as secretary of state nominee, Eli Savit for AG · WILX · 2026-04-19 News report
10.Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II · State of Michigan Official record
11.Michigan secretary of state candidates share election policies · Votebeat · 2026-03-02 News report
12.Anthony G. Forlini for Michigan Secretary of State · Anthony G. Forlini for Secretary of State Candidate's own words
13.Anthony Forlini · Ballotpedia Reference
14.Candidate Listing Report: November 3, 2026 General Election · Michigan Bureau of Elections · 2026-10-19 Official record
15.Candidate Listing Report: November 3, 2026 General Election · Michigan Bureau of Elections · 2026-10-19 Official record
16.Candidate Listing Report: November 3, 2026 General Election · Michigan Bureau of Elections · 2026-10-19 Official record