Michigan Secretary of State
| Michigan Secretary of State | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $112,410 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $291,839,900 |
| Term limits: | 2 terms |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Authority: | Michigan Constitution, Article V, Section 3 |
| Selection Method: | Elected |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
Michigan Secretary of State
Jocelyn Benson | |
| Elections | |
| Next election: | November 3, 2026 |
| Last election: | November 8, 2022 |
| Other Michigan Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Public Instruction • Director of Agriculture and Rural Development • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Director • Labor Director • Public Service Commission | |
The Secretary of State for Michigan oversees elections in Michigan and is responsible for handling all administrative aspects of the ballot initiative process in the state.
The Michigan Secretary of State is third in the governor of Michigan line of succession and acts in that capacity if both the office of governor and lieutenant governor of Michigan are vacant or if both are temporarily out of the state.[1]
Michigan has a Democratic triplex. The Democratic Party controls the offices of governor, secretary of state, and attorney general.
Current officeholder
The current Michigan Secretary of State is Jocelyn Benson (D). Benson assumed office in 2019.
Authority
The state Constitution addresses the office of the Secretary of State in Article V, the Executive Department.[2]
Under Article V, Section 3:
|
The single executives heading principal departments shall include a secretary of state, a state treasurer and an attorney general... |
Qualifications
According to Michigan Compiled Laws 168.71, the standard qualifications necessary under Michigan State Law in order to be considered for the Office of Secretary of State include:[3]
- To be eligible for the office of Secretary of State or Attorney General a person:
- Must be a registered and qualified elector of the State of Michigan on the date he or she is nominated for the office
- Must not be convicted of a violation of section 12a(1) of 1941 PA 370, MCL 38.412a or may not be eligible for a period of 20 years after conviction
Elections
The Michigan Secretary of State is an elected position. Elections are held every four years, and the secretary is limited to two terms in office.
Term limits
Term limits for the secretary of state are defined in Article V, Section 30 of the Michigan Constitution, which bars a secretary of state from serving more than two terms.[2]
Michigan Constitution, Article V, Section 30:
| No person shall be elected more than two times to each office of the executive branch of government: governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state or attorney general. Any person appointed or elected to fill a vacancy in the office of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state or attorney general for a period greater than one half of a term of such office, shall be considered to have been elected to serve one time in that office for purposes of this section. This limitation on the number of times a person shall be elected to office shall apply to terms of office beginning on or after January 1, 1993. This section shall be self-executing. Legislation may be enacted to facilitate operation of this section, but no law shall limit or restrict the application of this section. If any part of this section is held to be invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts of this section shall not be affected but will remain in full force and effect. |
2022
General election
General election for Michigan Secretary of State
Incumbent Jocelyn Benson defeated Kristina Karamo, Gregory Stempfle, Christine Schwartz, and Larry Hutchinson Jr. in the general election for Michigan Secretary of State on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jocelyn Benson (D) | 55.9 | 2,467,859 |
 | Kristina Karamo (R)  | 41.9 | 1,852,510 | |
 | Gregory Stempfle (L) | 1.2 | 52,982 | |
 | Christine Schwartz (U.S. Taxpayers Party) | 0.6 | 27,937 | |
 | Larry Hutchinson Jr. (G) | 0.4 | 16,615 | |
| Total votes: 4,417,903 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic convention
Democratic convention for Michigan Secretary of State
Incumbent Jocelyn Benson advanced from the Democratic convention for Michigan Secretary of State on August 21, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Jocelyn Benson (D) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican convention
Republican convention for Michigan Secretary of State
Kristina Karamo defeated Cindy Berry, Beau LaFave, and Cathleen Postmus in the Republican convention for Michigan Secretary of State on August 27, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| Cindy Berry (R) | ||
| ✔ | | Kristina Karamo (R) |
 | Beau LaFave (R) | |
| Cathleen Postmus (R) | ||
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Green convention
Green convention for Michigan Secretary of State
Larry Hutchinson Jr. advanced from the Green convention for Michigan Secretary of State on April 23, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Larry Hutchinson Jr. (G) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Libertarian convention
Libertarian convention for Michigan Secretary of State
Gregory Stempfle advanced from the Libertarian convention for Michigan Secretary of State on July 10, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Gregory Stempfle (L) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
U.S. Taxpayers Party convention
U.S. Taxpayers Party convention for Michigan Secretary of State
Christine Schwartz advanced from the U.S. Taxpayers Party convention for Michigan Secretary of State on July 23, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Christine Schwartz (U.S. Taxpayers Party) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Past elections
Vacancies
Vacancy appointments are addressed under Article V, Section 21.[2]
Article 5, Section 22:
| Whenever the secretary of state's office is vacant the governor fills the position by appointment. |
Duties
In Michigan, the secretary of state is not only responsible for elections like most other states' secretaries of state, but also oversees vehicle registration and the licensing of automobile drivers, similar to a Department of Motor Vehicles in other states. The secretary also oversees and regulates notaries public. Because of its driver's licensing and vehicle registration functions, the secretary has dozens of offices statewide.
Campaign finance discipline
The secretary of state is responsible for prosecuting all civil violations under the state's campaign finance laws. The first step in filing a complaint is to file with the secretary of state as he or she is responsible for investigating all campaign finance law violations. It is up to the Department of State to resolve all complaints first without any legal action.[7] If there is no resolution, the secretary of state can render civil judgment against a campaign through an administrative hearing.[7]
All criminal law violations are prosecuted by the Michigan Attorney General.[7]
Divisions
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for information that describes the divisions (if any exist) of a state executive office. That information for the Michigan Secretary of State has not yet been added. After extensive research we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
State budget
- See also: Michigan state budget and finances
The Department of State's budget for the 2025 fiscal year was $291,839,900.[8]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
The Michigan Constitution allows that the compensation for the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and attorney general shall be provided by law, and is not to be altered during the term of office. Established under Article IV, Section 12 of the Michigan Constitution, the State Officers Compensation Commission was created to determine the salaries of select public officials. The seven-member, government-appointed commission meets every two years. The commission may propose compensation increases, but may only propose a reduction in salary if the proposed amount is equal to or higher than the salary in place when the official took office. Once approved by the legislature, compensation is effective during the legislative session following the subsequent general election.[9]
Article V, Section 23 of the Michigan Constitution:[2]
|
The governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and attorney general shall each receive the compensation provided by law in full payment for all services performed and expenses incurred during his term of office. Such compensation shall not be changed during the term of office except as otherwise provided in this constitution. |
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $112,410, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $112,410, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2021
In 2021, the secretary of state received a salary of $112,410, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2020
In 2020, the secretary of state received a salary of $112,410, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2019
In 2019, the secretary of state received a salary of $112,410, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2018
In 2018, the secretary of state received a salary of $112,410, according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
2017
In 2017, the secretary of state received a salary of $112,410, according to the Council of State Governments.[16]
2016
In 2016, the secretary of state received a salary of $112,410, according to the Council of State Governments.[17]
2015
In 2015, the secretary of state received a salary of $112,410, according to the Council of State Governments.[18]
2014
In 2014, the secretary's salary was estimated at $112,410, according to the Council of State Governments.[19]
2013
In 2013, the secretary's salary was estimated at $112,410, according to the Council of State Governments.[20]
Historical officeholders
There have been 43 Michigan Secretaries of State since 1835.[21]
| List of officeholders from 1835-present | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Name | Tenure | Party | ||
| 1 | Kintzing Pritchette | 1835-1838 |  Democratic
| ||
| 2 | Randolph Manning | 1838-1840 | Democratic
| ||
| 3 | Thomas Rowland | 1840-1842 | |||
| 4 | Robert P. Eldredge | 1842-1846 | Democratic
| ||
| 5 | Gideon O. Whittemore | 1846-1848 | |||
| 6 | George W. Peck | 1848-1850 | Democratic
| ||
| 7 | George R. Redfield | 1850 | |||
| 8 | Charles H. Taylor | 1850-1853 | Democratic
| ||
| 9 | William Graves | 1853-1855 | Democratic
| ||
| 10 | John McKinney | 1855-1859 |  Republican
| ||
| 11 | Nelson G. Isbell | 1859-1861 | Republican
| ||
| 12 | James B. Porter | 1861-1867 | Republican
| ||
| 13 | Oliver L. Spaulding | 1867-1871 | Republican
| ||
| 14 | Daniel Striker | 1871-1875 | Republican
| ||
| 15 | Ebenezer G. D. Holden | 1875-1879 | Republican
| ||
| 16 | William Jenney | 1879-1883 | Republican
| ||
| 17 | Harry A. Conant | 1883-1887 | Republican
| ||
| 18 | Gilbert R. Osmun | 1887-1891 | Republican
| ||
| 19 | Daniel E. Soper | 1891 | Democratic
| ||
| 20 | Robert R. Blacker | 1891-1893 | Democratic
| ||
| 21 | John W. Jochim | 1893-1895 | Republican
| ||
| 22 | Washington Gardner | 1894-1899 | Republican
| ||
| 23 | Justus S. Stearns | 1899-1901 | Republican
| ||
| 24 | Fred M. Warner | 1901-1905 | Republican
| ||
| 25 | George A. Prescott | 1905-1909 | Republican
| ||
| 26 | Frederick C. Martindale | 1909-1915 | Republican
| ||
| 27 | Coleman C. Vaughan | 1915-1921 | Republican
| ||
| 28 | Charles J. DeLand | 1921-1927 | Republican
| ||
| 29 | John S. Haggerty | 1927-1931 | Republican
| ||
| 30 | Frank D. Fitzgerald | 1931-1934 | Republican
| ||
| 31 | Clarke W. Brown | 1934-1935 | |||
| 32 | Orville E. Atwood | 1935-1937 | Republican
| ||
| 33 | Leon D. Case | 1937-1939 | Democratic
| ||
| 34 | Harry F. Kelly | 1939-1943 | Republican
| ||
| 35 | Herman H. Dignan | 1943-1947 | Republican
| ||
| 36 | Fred M. Alger, Jr | 1947-1953 | Republican
| ||
| 37 | Owen J. Cleary | 1953-1955 | Republican
| ||
| 38 | James M. Hare | 1955-1971 | Democratic
| ||
| 39 | Richard H. Austin | 1971-1995 | Democratic
| ||
| 40 | Candice S. Miller | 1995-2003 | Republican
| ||
| 41 | Terri Lynn Land | 2003-2011 | Republican
| ||
| 42 | Ruth Johnson | 2011-2019 | Republican
| ||
| 43 | Jocelyn Benson | 2019-present | Democratic
| ||
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Michigan Secretary of State. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact information
Mailing address:
430 W. Allegan St.
Richard H. Austin Building - 4th Floor
Lansing, MI 48918
Toll Free Phone: 1-888-767-6424
See also
| Michigan | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Michigan Office of Secretary of State, "About the Michigan Department of State," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Michigan Legislature, "Constitution of the State of Michigan," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Michigan Legislature, "MCL Chapter Index," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Michigan Department of State - 2010 General Election Results
- ↑ Department of State - 2006 General Election Results
- ↑ Department of State - 2002 General Election Results
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Michigan Legislature, "Michigan Campaign Finance Act of 1976," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Michigan Legislature, "Act No. 121," accessed January 21, 2025
- ↑ Michigan Civil Service Commission, “State Officers Compensation Commission,” accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 21, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 22, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Table 4.11 Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Michigan Legislature, "Former Officials of Michigan," accessed January 25, 2021
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