ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Thursday night at the University of Michigan, Michigan’s secretary of state race took the stage as candidates traded views on election integrity, appointments and voter confidence in the count.
Outgoing Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, a Democrat, faced Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini, a Republican.
Forlini argued county election experience better prepares him for the statewide post and pointed to what he called a bipartisan record. He also raised concerns about thousands of Michiganders still waiting on state tax refunds.
Gilchrist said his lieutenant governor travel has taken him through all 83 counties at least three times and cast the office as serving every resident regardless of party. He highlighted appointment-system gains over eight years and wants broader services, including digital driver’s licenses.
Both stressed trust in results. Gilchrist said politics should not override accurate counts; Forlini said clerks need clearer tools and transparency statewide.
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