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Michigan Association of County Clerks Oppose Voting Change
Mary Drier
Wed, 15 Oct 2025 11:33:38 EDT
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The Michigan Association of County Clerks (MACC) met virtually yesterday to consider the ballot question to authorize the use of "Ranked Choice Voting" in Michigan, according to Tuscola County Clerk Jodi Fetting.
After consideration, the organization voted unanimously to oppose the ballot measure brought by "RankMiVote" that seeks to be on the statewide ballot in 2026.
"Michigan's County Clerks have collectively dedicated their lives to public service and the pursuit of delivering safe, secure and efficient elections for our residents," said MACC President Linda Talsma. "As an organization, we rarely take positions on ballot questions, but we felt compelled in this case to urge voters to oppose this measure."
The opposition to the resolution that was passed by MACC cites concerns over the length of the ballot, conflicts with provisions of existing state law and in the state Constitution, increased voter confusion, concerns relating the complexity and timing of audits and recounts, and the inevitable delay in providing results to the public, which would be substantial.
Michigan voters are used to knowing who won an election in a timely manner, so it is important to be able to report accurate, unofficial results on election night, and the proposed change would make determining a winner drastically longer under ranked-choice voting, were the reasons outlined for the clerks' opposition.
The clerks support a voter's right to amend the state Constitution through the initiative process, and it is a clerk's duty to implement all election requirements including this one, if enacted.
The clerks feel this proposal, as written, will have unintended consequences for Michigan elections, and they are asking that legislatures act to strengthen the existing election system, to ensure clarity, accessibility, and confidence for all voters.
The Michigan Association of County Clerks is a bipartisan professional organization of county clerks who serve as the chief election officials in their respective counties.
