Our People Run Elections Well; Your People . . . Well

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 09/16/2026) Michigan voters overwhelmingly trust elections conducted in their own communities, but that confidence falls sharply when they are asked about elections elsewhere in the state, according to new polling that found a significant partisan divide over election integrity.

According to an Aug. 8-13 survey commissioned by the bipartisan Democracy Defense Foundation and conducted by the Glengariff Group, 85.8% of respondents trust election administration in their own communities, including 84% of strong Republicans.

Yet trust drops to 48.2% when voters assess other counties across the state. Among strong Republicans, confidence in other jurisdictions drops to just 22%. In open-ended follow-ups, respondents cited concerns about larger urban centers like Wayne County and Detroit (11%) or broader beliefs that the system is "rigged and corrupt" (12%).

"The closer people are to those who administer the elections, the more confidence they have, because it's really their neighbors who are at the table," said former Lt. Gov. John Cherry. "As they see them, they know that their neighbors are not likely to cheat."

Overall, 74.4% of likely Michigan general election voters said they are confident the November election will be fair, accurate and secure. That includes 88.7% of strong Democrats and 76.1% of independents, compared to 57.3% of strong Republicans.

The poll surveyed 800 likely voters by phone, with a margin of error of 3.5% at a 95% confidence level.

The survey also suggests some skepticism surrounding previous elections driving current sentiment. For the 2020 presidential election, voters split with 42% believing there were irregularities and 43% disagreeing. For the 2024 election, 50% saw no irregularities compared to 35% who did, anchored by 50.9% of strong Republicans who maintain that irregularities took place.

System satisfaction sits at 66.4% statewide, but 51% of strong Republicans believe Michigan's system needs major changes.

Despite some demand for reform, the poll found 73.8% of voters support secure drop boxes, and 73% back no-reason absentee voting.

The poll results were discussed during a panel hosted by Michigan State University’s Department of Political Science. Along with Cherry, the panel included former Gov. John Engler, former U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop and former Gov. Jim Blanchard.

"Confidence in our elections isn't a Republican or Democrat thing . . . it's an American thing," Bishop said. "Trusting the process matters most when your side loses, and that's something to always remember."