by 
Michigan’s voter roll maintenance efforts continue, with over 1.1 million outdated registrations removed since 2019, ensuring election integrity.
Michigan to Cancel Hundreds of Thousands of Inactive Voter Registrations
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Secretary of State’s Office announced plans to cancel more than 318,000 inactive voter registrations next month, as part of an ongoing effort to maintain accurate and up-to-date voter rolls. This move will bring the total number of outdated registrations removed since 2019 to over 1.1 million.
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson emphasized the importance of this process, stating, “State and local election officials are constantly working to maintain our voter rolls transparently, accurately, and in accordance with state and federal law.”
Michigan’s Voter Roll Maintenance Process
Michigan’s Qualified Voter File (QVF) currently includes about 577,000 inactive registrations slated for cancellation. These registrations typically belong to voters who have moved or passed away. Additionally, approximately 600,000 inactive registrations remain in the system due to federal legal requirements.
State and local election officials follow a federally mandated procedure before canceling voter registrations. This process includes sending notices to voters flagged for potential removal. If a voter does not respond or vote in two federal election cycles (up to four years), their registration is then canceled.
Ensuring Election Integrity and Compliance
Michigan election officials use multiple methods to identify outdated registrations, including:
- Reviewing U.S. Postal Service returned mail
- Tracking surrendered Michigan driver’s licenses
- Participating in the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), which flags individuals who register in other states
- Cross-checking against the Social Security Death Index
According to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, Michigan ranked fifth in the nation in 2022 for removing deceased voters from its rolls. Clerks also rely on obituaries and notifications from families to ensure accuracy.
No Evidence of Voter Fraud Found
Despite ongoing efforts to maintain voter lists, state officials confirm there is no evidence that inactive voter registrations have been used fraudulently. However, anyone suspecting fraudulent activity is encouraged to report it to law enforcement.
What Michigan Voters Need to Know
Michigan voters scheduled for cancellation in April can verify and update their registration before the March 28 deadline by:
- Checking their status at Michigan.gov/Vote
- Contacting their local clerk
- Emailing ElectionData@michigan.gov to request a copy of the cancellation list
Michigan residents who find their registration canceled can re-register at any time, including on Election Day.
Find More Interesting Feature Stories From ThumbWind
- Michigan Feature Stories – Unveiling the diverse and vibrant people, captivating places, and remarkable events that make the Great Lake State unique.
- Weird Political News – A sarcastic take on official news from around the U.S., exploring political absurdities.
- Michigan News – Updates on news and events from Michigan’s Upper Thumb region.
Your Turn – Like This, or Loathe It – We Want to Hear From You
Please offer an insightful and thoughtful comment. We review each response. Follow us to have other feature stories fill up your email box, or check us out on ThumbWind Publications on Newsbreak.
