Michigan Election Officials Express Strong Confidence Amid Rising Cost and Disinformation Concerns

A recent survey of Michigan’s local election clerks and municipal employees shows that 95 % of city and township officials feel “very confident” in their ability to conduct a secure and accurate November 2026 general election. The confidence level is slightly higher than in previous surveys from 2020 and 2022, and it spans communities of all sizes and political leanings. Despite this optimism, nearly half of respondents cite the cost of running elections—especially after the 2022 reform that added nine days of early voting—as their biggest worry. Other technical concerns include equipment failures (8 %), long wait times (5 %), and inaccuracies in voter registration lists. About one in five officials anticipate problems stemming from disinformation targeting voters, with the threat rising to over 40 % in municipalities with more than 30,000 residents. Disturbances at polling places are expected by 8 % of officials overall, and 26 % in larger communities. Partisan differences also appear: while 94 % of Democratic respondents feel confident in other jurisdictions, only 68 % of Republican respondents share that view, and 25 % of Republicans express doubt. These findings highlight the complex balance between local confidence, financial strain, and the growing influence of misinformation on election administration.