• Michigan gubernatorial candidates told Bridge Michigan what election, voting and government transparency laws they’d like to change
  • Those topics were identified Bridge Listens, an election-year survey of the state’s biggest issues, according to Bridge Michigan readers
  • Candidates were asked to limit their responses to 300 words

Michigan gubernatorial candidates are laying out plans to reform elections, improve government transparency and limit the influence of money in politics.

The future of democracy is a top concern for readers, according to Bridge Listens, our informal survey of the state’s most pressing election-year issues.

So we asked related questions to all four major party candidates left in the race ahead of the Aug. 4 primary:

This is the fifth edition of the Bridge Listens series. Candidates have previously answered questions about education, health care, the environment and the economy. 

Click here to read our summary of their answers on democracy, or read on to see what they had to say, in full:

Voting rules

The question: After several vote initiated-changes, Michiganders have a menu of options for casting a ballot and multiple ways to verify their identity. Are there changes you’d like to make to Michigan’s voting system, and how would you accomplish those changes? 

Benson (D): I am proud that as Michigan’s Secretary of State for the last seven years, I’ve worked with local clerks to successfully implement these voter driven reforms in a way that increased both the security and accessibility of our elections. We met our goal – making it easier to vote and harder to cheat – and our election system went from being ranked No. 31 to No. 2 in the nation. Under my tenure we’ve seen the highest turnout elections in our state’s history, including youth vote turnout, implemented hundreds of post-election audits to increase transparency, and are recognized as having some of the most accurate voter rolls of any state.

This progress unfolded as our election system – and the professionals who run it – endured the spread of misinformation, baseless attacks from powerful figures, and threats designed to undermine citizens’ faith in our democracy. I’ve protected the voices and votes of every Michigan citizen despite those challenges, and am ready to do the same as governor.

Related:

The next governor of Michigan must lower costs, raise wages, and protect the rights and freedoms of every Michigander. That means standing up to misguided federal legislation like the SAVE Act, which could disenfranchise millions of married women and military service members, while increasing the security of our elections at a time when AI and misinformation threatens to undermine citizens’ ability to be informed and engaged voters. We must enact reforms to protect our election system from the spread of misinformation, hold accountable bad actors who use AI to mislead voters, and expand our cybersecurity protections so that foreign adversaries are unable to interfere with our voting systems.  

James (R): Yes. We must strengthen our voting system so that every Michigan citizen can have full confidence their vote matters and is not canceled out by someone who is not eligible. I enthusiastically support the passage of the Citizens-Only Voting Amendment on the November ballot. This commonsense reform will enshrine in our state constitution the clear requirement that only American citizens can register and vote in Michigan elections.

Jocelyn Benson has repeatedly ignored the law and been rebuked by the courts. Her election directives have been struck down five separate times after she tried to rewrite Michigan election law instead of following the law enacted by the Legislature.

In 2024, Jocelyn Benson let at least 16 non-citizens vote in our elections. That is unacceptable. We cannot allow illegal votes to dilute the voices of lawful Michigan citizens. Every legal vote must count, and every American voter deserves ironclad assurance that only U.S. citizens are participating. The Citizens-Only Voting Amendment is the strongest and most direct way to fix this by embedding proof of citizenship and stronger verification into our constitution.

In Congress, I am a co-sponsor of the SAVE America Act, which requires photo identification to vote and ensures only citizens vote in federal elections, commonsense protections that Democrats have repeatedly blocked.

If elected, I will work with the legislature and Michigan voters to implement these higher standards at every level, including secure absentee voting rules and eliminating loopholes that weaken election integrity. Michigan families deserve a system that puts citizens first and leaves no room for doubt.

Johnson (R): Voting should be easy for every eligible citizen, hard to cheat, and impossible to manipulate. Michigan can provide both access and security.

I support secure identification for every ballot. In-person voters should present photo ID. Absentee voters should verify their identity through a state ID number or another secure process.

We also need citizenship verification at registration, regular audits of the Qualified Voter File, uniform statewide signature-verification standards, strict ballot chain-of-custody rules, public testing of voting equipment, paper ballot records, and transparent post-election audits.

Election rules must be consistent across all 83 counties. They should not be changed through last-minute guidance, selective enforcement, or executive action. Bipartisan observers should have meaningful access at every stage of the process.

I will pursue every reform available through legislation. Where the Constitution limits common-sense election security measures, I will take the case directly to the voters and seek their approval.

The goal is simple: every eligible citizen should be able to vote, every legal vote should count, and every voter should have confidence that Michigan’s elections are secure, transparent, and fair.

Swanson (D): Ensuring ease of access to the ability to cast our ballots is critically important, and as Governor I will fight any effort to impede this ability. I will fight efforts from Federal or State legislation, or outside actors, that make it more difficult for registered voters in Michigan to make their voice heard each election year.

I support continuing to improve election administration by giving our local clerks the resources and training they need to run efficient elections, while strengthening chain-of-custody procedures, post-election audits and public education so voters understand exactly how ballots are secured and counted. Too much distrust comes from people simply not understanding the process.

As Sheriff, I’ve spent my career protecting the integrity of systems people rely on. My approach as Governor will be the same: protect access, protect security, and make sure every eligible Michigander has confidence that their vote counts.

Money in politics

The question: There is broad agreement among voters that money plays too large a role in our politics. Would you seek to reduce the influence of money in Michigan’s politics, in campaign finance, lobbying or through other avenues? How? 

Benson (D): The choice facing voters in this election is stark: will the next governor of Michigan work for: the people, or for Trump and his wealthy donors? I am the only candidate in this race who will be accountable to every single Michigander, no matter where they live – not lobbyists, not Donald Trump, not the highest bidder. And I will work every single day to deliver for our residents.   

Right now, corporate influence shapes our policies in Michigan more than the people do. Too many politicians are more beholden to the corporations funding their campaigns than the constituents who elected them and who are struggling. It’s why we’re paying some of the highest water and electricity bills in the country, and why the cost of medicine is skyrocketing.

That’s also why I have refused to accept any corporate PAC money – and am the only leading candidate to do so. Our political system is broken, and our state cannot work for the people until we fix it.

That’s why when I rolled out my transparency plan — the most comprehensive of any candidate — I made clear: no more dark money, no more undisclosed corporate influence, and no more secret backroom deals. As governor, I will work to enact the strongest transparency and ethics laws in the country. We’ll expand the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to the governor’s office and the legislature, require disclosure of all money spent to influence elections and elected officials, restrict regulated utilities from spending money to elect or influence politicians, and end the revolving door of legislators becoming lobbyists. I’ve advocated for many of these reforms as Secretary of State, and will continue to fight for them as governor.

James (R): Lansing has become a place where too many politicians look out for special interests instead of the people they’re supposed to serve. We need to break that cycle and restore trust.

I’ll end the revolving door by banning legislators and statewide elected officials from becoming lobbyists after they leave office. I’ll prohibit taxpayer-funded lobbying, ban fundraising by state officials during legislative session, close gift-ban loopholes, and strengthen conflict-of-interest laws so public office isn’t used for personal gain.

I’ll also lead by example by publicly disclosing my finances and requiring the same standard for senior officials in my administration. Transparency isn’t optional, it’s essential, especially when serious questions have been raised about the Benson family’s financial interests related to data center development.

At the end of the day, this is about making sure the government answers to taxpayers, not insiders. That’s how we restore trust and ensure the people, not special interests, come first.

Johnson (R): The problem is not simply that money is spent in politics. The problem is hidden money, special-interest influence, and a system where campaign contributions are too often followed by government contracts, subsidies, tax breaks, or favorable treatment.

I am putting my own resources behind this campaign because I refuse to be owned by Lansing lobbyists or the special interests that profit from state government.

As governor, I will support faster online disclosure of major contributions and independent expenditures, including greater transparency about the original sources of money flowing through political committees. I will require executive officials to publicly disclose meetings with registered lobbyists, impose a strong ban on lobbyist gifts, and establish a meaningful cooling-off period before senior administration officials can become lobbyists.

The public should also be able to easily compare political contributions with state contracts, grants, tax credits, and economic-development deals. My administration will place that information in one searchable location.

Government should never silence political speech. But it can expose influence, end pay-to-play government, and make it far harder for politicians to sell access to the highest bidder.

When a politically connected company receives millions of taxpayer dollars, Michigan citizens deserve to know who made the decision, what was promised, and whether the company delivered.

Swanson (D): People have every right to be frustrated by the amount of influence money has in who we choose to make critical decisions impacting our everyday lives. Too often it feels like government listens to the people with the biggest checkbooks instead of the people paying the bills.

We need stronger transparency around campaign spending and lobbying so people know who is trying to influence decisions in Lansing. I also believe there should be a meaningful waiting period before former elected officials can become lobbyists. Public service should be about serving the public, not building connections for the next job.

Ultimately, restoring trust isn’t about passing one law—it’s about building a government that earns the public’s confidence every day. I have led by example in my campaign by refusing to take DTE and Consumers PAC money. As your Governor I will be accountable to the residents, not corporations.

Government transparency 

The Question: Michigan has long had some of the worst marks in the nation for government transparency. Will you commit to voluntarily opening your office to Freedom of Information Act requests even if the legislature fails to act? What other reforms would you propose to improve ethics and transparency in state government? 

Benson (D): Yes. I will voluntarily subject the governor’s office to FOIA regardless of whether the legislature acts. 

I voluntarily expanded the Secretary of State’s office to FOIA requests, created a first-in-the-nation online portal for citizens to view the documents produced in every FOIA request our office receives, implemented expanded financial disclosure requirements for elected officials, and consistently pushed for greater transparency from all leaders in state government. As a candidate for governor, I have also proposed the strongest and most comprehensive transparency plan of any candidate in this race. It includes a ban on dark money in politics, and requires all groups that spend money to influence elections to disclose the sources of all contributions they receive that go towards political spending. 

James (R): Michigan deserves a government that’s transparent, accountable, and worthy of the people’s trust. Too much happens behind closed doors in Lansing, and that’s one of the reasons confidence in state government has eroded.

Thankfully, Mike Cox has filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson after her office failed to produce documents in response to a lawful FOIA request regarding her involvement with the Southern Poverty Law Center. When even basic public records are not forthcoming from our Secretary of State and candidate for governor, it raises serious questions about the level of transparency citizens can expect from their elected leaders.

Beyond issues with her election guidance, Benson also faces a litany of other problems she created as Secretary of State, including a botched $9 million campaign finance website, DOJ investigation into her election administration, issuing driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, failure to prevent illegal voting in 2024, a federal lawsuit for blocking review of the state’s bloated voter rolls, campaign finance violations, and multiple lawsuits alleging racism in her department. All of which she has failed to be transparent about with Michiganders.

I’ll support ending FOIA exemptions so the Governor’s office, the executive branch, and the legislature are all subject to public scrutiny. In addition, I will publicly disclose my finances, require the same standard for senior officials in my administration, and prohibit the use of non-disclosure agreements to shield official business from the public.

We’ll also strengthen ethics standards by requiring ethics clauses in employment agreements, mandatory ethics training, and stronger whistleblower protections. I’ll fully fund the Auditor General’s office, conduct a comprehensive audit of state spending, and aggressively root out waste, fraud, and abuse.

Johnson (R): Yes. On my first day as governor, I will voluntarily open the governor’s office to Freedom of Information Act requests, while maintaining legitimate protections for personal privacy, public safety, active law-enforcement matters, and attorney-client privilege.

A voluntary policy only lasts as long as one administration, so I will also support legislation permanently subjecting the governor and Legislature to public-records requirements.

Transparency will be central to my MEGA Audit. We will conduct a top-to-bottom review of state spending, contracts, grants, subsidies, tax incentives, and economic-development programs. The findings will be made public.

Every major state expenditure should show the recipient, the decision-maker, the stated purpose, the performance requirements, and the actual results. Taxpayers should not have to file endless requests or hire investigators to learn how their money was spent.

I will establish an independent inspector general, strengthen whistleblower protections, preserve official communications as public records, and prohibit state officials from using disappearing messages or private accounts to evade disclosure.

I come from the quality business. You cannot fix an organization until you measure performance, identify failures, and hold people accountable. State government should operate by that same standard.

Michigan taxpayers are the owners of state government. They have a right to see exactly what their government is doing.

Swanson (D): Yes. If the Legislature doesn’t act, I will voluntarily make the Governor’s Office subject to FOIA because the people of Michigan deserve to know how decisions are being made and how their tax dollars are being spent.

But transparency is only part of fixing Lansing. We need to take a hard look at how state government operates and whether it’s actually delivering results. That means reviewing agencies like the MEDC to ensure they’re creating opportunity across the entire state—not just for those with the right political connections. It means limiting unnecessary secrecy in government, strengthening ethics rules, and making sure public officials are accountable to the people they represent.

I also want to change the culture of state government. Too often people feel like government is something they have to fight against. I want state government to start acting like it’s in the customer service business—helping residents, workers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses solve problems instead of creating new ones. If government is doing its job well, it should make it easier—not harder—to build a life in Michigan.

Election integrity

The question: Michigan’s electoral process has weathered unprecedented scrutiny — and skepticism — since 2020. How can you improve confidence in the state’s elections, and will you pledge to accept the results of the August and November elections, regardless of the outcome? 

Benson (D): Michigan’s elections are among the most transparent and secure in the nation, thanks to the work of over 1,600 professional, bipartisan election clerks who administer them. And because of the layers of security and transparency protocols in place, including paper ballots and post election audits, we can say with confidence that every valid vote is counted, and that the results of our elections are accurate, every time. That is how we turned Michigan into a nationally recognized model for safe, secure, and accessible elections. Knowing this truth, not only will I accept the results of both the August primary and the November election, I will call on every candidate on the ballot to do the same and respect the will of the people.

When it comes to ensuring every Michigander has faith in the results of our elections, transparency is our friend. I encourage all citizens to ask tough questions about our processes and seek trusted sources of information – like local clerks – for accurate answers. I invite all Michiganders who want to see our election security firsthand to serve as a poll worker, election challenger, or observer, or participate in post election audits, or attend the open sessions each community holds prior to an election where the clerks transparently test and verify the accuracy of our voting machines. 

Once equipped with accurate information, I also call on every Michigander to be a voice for debunking misinformation and to join me in standing up to those who would try to falsely sow seeds of doubt about our elections to further their own political agenda. 

James (R): Public confidence in our elections will increase only when we take bold, concrete steps to secure them and put American citizens first. That begins with the full passage of the Citizens-Only Voting Amendment on the November ballot, which I strongly support.

Jocelyn Benson’s record as Secretary of State has fueled deep skepticism. In 2024, she admitted she allowed at least 16 non-citizens to vote, a serious failure of leadership that undermines the entire system. Beyond this, she is now overseeing her own race for Governor while serving as chief elections officer. This is a serious conflict of interest that strikes at the heart of fair elections. No one should control the process while running in the election itself. It erodes trust and Michiganders are right to demand accountability.

I will fight relentlessly to protect the integrity of every lawful ballot cast by American citizens. Our republic depends on honest elections, and I will never waver in defending the sacred right of We the People to choose our leaders without interference or doubt.

I will accept the outcome of any election if it has been conducted fairly, securely, and transparently and properly certified by the board of state canvassers.

Johnson (R): Confidence will not be restored by telling voters to stop asking questions. It will be restored by answering those questions, following consistent rules, and showing the public exactly how elections are administered.

Michigan should have uniform training and procedures, public testing of election equipment, documented chain of custody for every ballot, meaningful access for credentialed challengers from both parties, and transparent reconciliation of ballots, voters, and tabulator totals.

We must also clean the Qualified Voter File, promptly remove voters who have died or moved, secure absentee-ballot handling, and give local clerks the resources and clear guidance they need to report accurate results without unnecessary delays.

Post-election audits should be public and easy to understand. Election administrators should follow the law as written, not change major procedures through informal directives shortly before an election.

Yes, I will accept the final lawful and certified results of the August and November elections while also reserving my right to request a lawful recount or challenge specific irregularities through the courts.

There is a clear line between using the legal process and attempting to intimidate election workers, encourage violence, or disregard a final lawful result. I will respect that line, enforce that line and expect every candidate in both parties to do the same.

Swanson (D): Yes. I will accept the certified results of both the August primary and November general election. Every legal vote should be counted, and the will of Michigan voters should always determine the outcome of our elections.

Political polarization

The question: Nationwide, the risk of political violence is rising, and divisions in Lansing, too, have led the legislature to miss budget deadlines two years running. What will you do as governor to reduce dysfunction, bring the parties together and lower the temperature? Can you name an issue where you’re looking forward to partnering with the other party? 

Benson (D): As Michigan’s chief election officer over the last several election cycles, I’ve personally experienced the way that hateful rhetoric can lead to very real threats. But even when I had to shelter in my own home protecting my family while armed protestors gathered on my front lawn, fueled by lies and misinformation, I did not waver from my commitment to protecting Michiganders or my dedication to civility. I’ve successfully worked with a Republican-led legislature to transform one of Michigan’s most important agencies, the Department of State, slashing wait times, expanding services, and ensuring we work together to save people time and make their lives easier.

The primary responsibility of the next governor will be to lower costs, raise wages, and protect Michiganders. Just as I’ve worked across the aisle to implement historic reforms at the Department of State, I will continue to seek out bipartisan solutions as governor. No one party has all the answers, and it will require working together to deliver for Michiganders. If we do that, we can build more housing, improve infrastructure, grow small businesses, and create good-paying jobs faster. And at a time where it feels like government is showing up everywhere we don’t want it, and nowhere that we actually need it, we must collaborate to lower costs, raise wages, and make government work better for the people it serves.   

James (R): A governor’s responsibility is to put Michigan first. I’ll be Governor for all 10 million Michiganders, and I’ll work with anyone, Republican or Democrat, who brings commonsense ideas that make our state safer, stronger, and more affordable. In Congress, I’ve had an anti-human trafficking bill signed into law by President Biden and a law signed by President Trump to end harmful EV mandates that would have been disastrous for the automotive industry. If a proposal benefits Michigan families, protects taxpayers, creates jobs, or makes government more accountable, I’ll work to get it done.

One area where we should be able to find common ground is government transparency and ethics reform. I’ll work with anyone willing to increase transparency, strengthen ethical standards for public officials, and restore trust in state government because accountability shouldn’t be a partisan issue.

Johnson (R): Political violence is never acceptable. It does not matter who commits it, which party is targeted, or what excuse is offered. As governor, I will condemn threats and violence immediately and make sure law enforcement has the support needed to protect public officials, candidates, election workers, and citizens.

Reducing dysfunction does not require abandoning principles. It requires leadership, discipline, and a willingness to sit down and solve problems.

I will run the budget process like a business. Negotiations will begin early, public milestones will be established, and legislative leaders from both parties will meet regularly with my administration. Michigan should not be governed through secret, last-minute deals reached hours before a shutdown.

I will be direct about disagreements, but I will never treat disagreement as a personal offense. I will listen, negotiate in good faith, and judge proposals by whether they produce results for Michigan families.

One area where I look forward to working across the aisle is government transparency and eliminating waste. The MEGA Audit should not be a Republican or Democratic project. Every legislator should want to know whether taxpayer dollars are being wasted, whether programs are producing results, and whether politically connected companies are receiving sweetheart deals.

I also believe we can work together on protecting the Great Lakes, improving roads, and delivering meaningful property-tax relief. I will never confuse civility with weakness, but I will always choose results over political theater.

Swanson (D): I’ve spent my career bringing people together during difficult moments. Whether it was working to bring our community together after the death of George Floyd, providing critical resources to residents during the Flint Water Crisis, or establishing G.H.O.S.T. to fight human trafficking, I’ve learned that people don’t solve problems by yelling louder—they solve them by listening first.

As Governor, I’ll work with anyone who brings a good idea to the table, regardless of party. Michiganders don’t care whether a solution has a Republican or Democratic label—they care whether it works.

One area where I believe we can find common ground is improving workforce development and expanding skilled trades. Every community needs good-paying jobs, employers need skilled workers, and young people deserve multiple pathways to success. That’s an issue that shouldn’t be partisan, and it’s one I’ll be eager to work on with members of both parties.

My job won’t be to win political arguments. My job will be to solve problems for the people of Michigan, bringing down the cost of healthcare, groceries, childcare, housing, and prices at the pump.

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