The Michigan Board of State Canvassers is a government agency of Michigan that oversees elections in the state. Its responsibilities include certifying election results and approving nominating petitions and ballot initiative petitions. It is composed of two Democrats and two Republicans.

Since 2020, the Board has taken several controversial votes. In 2020, the Board was scrutinized over its potential refusal to certify the presidential election. In 2022, the Board rejected several Republicans' petitions for ballot access in the Republican gubernatorial primary after accusations of signature fraud. It also rejected a petition for 2022 Michigan Proposal 3, a ballot initiative concerning abortion rights, but this decision was overturned in Reproductive Freedom for All v. Board of State Canvassers.

Structure

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The Board has 4 members, two from each of the 2 major political parties in Michigan. To fill a position on the Board, the governor appoints a nominee from a list chosen by a party's central committee and party leaders in the Michigan Legislature. The governor's nominee must be approved by the Michigan Senate.

Michigan also has a Board of Canvassers in each of its 83 counties. Each county board is responsible for overseeing and certifying elections within the county.

Controversies

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2020 presidential election

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