Board of State Canvassers certifies special primary results, approves manuals and schedules 2026 meetings

The Board of State Canvassers used its Feb. 23 meeting to complete several routine but formal items ahead of the filing season.

The board approved the minutes of its Dec. 15, 2025 meeting and adopted a schedule of regular meetings for 2026 with dates read into the record and approved by voice vote.

Director Bridal presented the results of a Feb. 3 special primary held to nominate candidates for a vacant State Senate seat that crosses Bay, Midland and Saginaw counties. The bureau reported about 45,000 total votes in the special primary, with Shadrach Green nominated on the Democratic side (16,085 votes) and Jason Toney on the Republican side (18,232 votes). The board moved to certify the attached report as a true statement of votes cast and to certify the named nominees to appear on the May 5, 2026 special general election ballot; members approved the motion.

The board also authorized the Bureau of Elections staff to represent the board in any recount arising from the February special primary.

Two updated petition manuals were before the board: a petition manual for candidates without a political party affiliation and a manual for new political party qualification. Director Bridal said the drafts were posted for comment and staff received none; the board approved both manuals and directed staff to use the procedures described and to make non-substantive corrections as needed without separate approval. The board made the manuals effective for petitions submitted after Feb. 23, 2026.

With those items complete, the board moved on to discussion of circulator disqualifications and other business.