Dem Lawmakers Warn Of Election Interference

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 10/19/2026) U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn) and three state Democratic lawmakers warned that rhetoric from Washington and plans to send Justice Department election watchers are fueling fears among Michigan voters about whether their ballots will count or be challenged Nov. 3.

Dingell and State Reps. Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth), Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) and Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor) joined Defend America Action and Derek Martin with Try and Stop Us, an organization claiming the 2026 election is "under attack" by Republicans and the Trump administration.

"I've talked to a lot of the clerks, as I know my fellow state legislators have. It's not a good situation, but quite frankly, I'm also going to tell you a lot of that tone is coming from Washington, which is threatening — not threatening but going to — send in Justice Department watchers," Dingell said.

She said people fear their votes won't count or will be challenged.

"None of what's happening right now should anybody feel good about. I am hoping in this election that we can go back to respecting each other, disagreeing agreeably. Remember that God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason, so we can listen more and talk less," she said.

Koleszar said he has served on the election committee during three of his terms and said he hoped misinformation would stop being spread. He singled out the Election Integrity Committee, chaired by Rep. Rachelle Smit (R-Shelbyville).

"The chair, a former clerk herself, has paraded every discredited conspiracy theorist she can find in front of that committee, and then offers them a supportive line of questioning. We need to stop entertaining misinformation," he said.

Arbit said he was five years old during the contentious 2000 presidential election, which hinged on the disputed vote count in Florida.

He said misinformation was less prevalent then and argued that election administration has become more politicized.

"It shouldn't be a political role, and unfortunately, we have candidates like Tony Forlini here in the state of Michigan who want to turn it into a political role, who want to make sure that running our elections is going to be a partisan political responsibility, which it should not be, and it has not been here in Michigan," Arbit said.