The Republican controlled Michigan Legislature has proposed a comprehensive package of 39 bills that would comprehensively suppress voting primarily in Democratic majority areas of the state. The bills tighten voter ID requirements, make absentee voting more difficult and limited, make the work of election officials more difficult, make it illegal to accept donations from non-governmental groups to support elections (such as the provision of polling locations by churches) etc. Some of these bills have been passed by the Legislature but vetoed by the Governor. To by-pass the Governor and the ballot box a petition (Secure Michigan Vote) is circulating that addresses three of the anti-voter issues; voter ID, absentee voting, and donations from non-governmental groups. It requires only 340,000+ signatures and, if these are collected, can be passed by the Legislature into law without requiring the Governor’s assent. If not passed by the Legislature, it goes on the ballot in the November 2022 election. An additional strategy is to replace local election officials (county Board of Canvassers) with active Trump supporters to raise doubts about election integrity and potentially halt certification of elections deemed unfavorable to Trump.

DIVIDED - REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE There are 110 seats in the House (52% R) and 38 in the Senate (53% R). House members serve 2-year terms limited to 3 terms and Senate members serve 4-year terms limited to 2 terms. Elections occur in even years with all of the House seats up every 2 and Senate seats up every 4 years in midterms election.

January 12, 2022 - December 31, 2022. No session limits.

The Governor (D), SOS (D) and AG (D) are elected for 4-year terms in midterm elections, limited to two consecutive terms. The next election is in 2022.

There are 7 judges, chosen in nonpartisan elections for an 8-year term by means of a partisan nomination. Incumbents file an affidavit to be placed on the ballot and non-incumbents must either file a nomination petition or obtain a partisan nomination at a party convention. Judges must be re-elected to remain on the court. 3 judges were initially appointed by Republican governors and 4 were elected. Vacancies are filled by an appointment by the governor to serve until the next general election. The governor may request a report on candidates compiled by the state bars standing committee.

Senate seats (D) are up in 2024 and 2026. House seats (currently 7R and 7D) are up in even years. Michigan lost a US House seat after the 2020 census so there will be 13 after redistricting.

Both congressional and state legislative district lines are drawn by a non-politician commission comprised of 13 members (4D, 4R and 5 unaffiliated or minor party members). At least 7 members must vote for a map (including at least 2D, 2R and 2 unaffiliated). There are currently 14 congressional (reduced to 13 after redistricting), 38 state senate and 110 state house districts.