GOP election official says public can trust petition checking process

Lansing — The Republican chairman of the Board of State Canvassers said he has confidence Michigan's process for checking whether candidates turned in enough valid petition signatures will be objective, despite concerns voiced by some key members of his party.

In recent days, Perry Johnson, a Republican candidate for governor, questioned whether Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Michigan's top election official and a fellow gubernatorial hopeful, will influence decisions about the authenticity of the petitions.

Johnson of Bloomfield Hills specifically called on Benson to recuse herself. However, in a Wednesday night interview, Richard Houskamp said the state's system for checking signatures has integrity, is transparent and already doesn't involve Benson.

"The people who accept or reject those signatures are us, the four members of the Board of State Canvassers," Houskamp said.



https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2026/04/25/gop-election-official-says-public-can-trust-petition-checking-process/89744252007/