Michigan Leaders Express Confidence in Elections, Announce Statewide Advisory Council

“Localized administration is rooted in the U.S. Constitution’s principle of federalism, which intentionally grants states authority over elections to ensure decisions are made close to home.”

Following up on recent primary elections, RightCount Michigan State Chair Lisa Posthumus Lyons published a joint op-ed in the Lansing State Journal alongside a group of respected election administrators and civic leaders highlighting the strength of Michigan's election system and calling for continued public trust in the election process.

In tandem with the commentary, RightCount is officially announcing its Michigan Leadership Advisory Council, a coalition of community leaders dedicated to reinforcing confidence in state election administration and supporting local clerks. The members include:

• Eric Doster, Former General Counsel, Michigan Republican Party
• Tony Daunt, Former Member of the State Board of Canvassers
• Eileen McNeil, President of Citizens for Traditional Values
• Justin Roebuck, Ottawa County Clerk
• Kim Meltzer, Clinton Township Clerk

Excerpts from their op-ed, which ran online today and will run in print on Sunday, can be read below.

Secure, Transparent Professional: Why Michiganders Can Trust Elections

August 26, 2026

“Earlier this month, more than two million citizens across 83 counties made their voices heard in the August primary election. From precincts in Ottawa and Kent counties to the voting booths in Clinton Township and Onekama Township, thousands of dedicated election workers, clerks, and volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure that a highly competitive primary election was run smoothly, professionally, and accurately.

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“To meet this vital moment, we are proud to announce the formation of RightCount’s Leadership Advisory Council in Michigan. As a coalition of county and township clerks, legal advisors, policy leaders, and former state officials, our council has come together with a single, clear purpose: to build faith in our electoral process, defend the rule of law, and support the public officials sworn to ensure legal and accurate vote counts.

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“Localized administration is rooted in the U.S. Constitution’s principle of federalism, which intentionally grants states authority over elections to ensure decisions are made close to home. RightCount was organized specifically to restore faith in the electoral process by elevating trusted local leaders, countering misinformation, standing vigilant against any efforts at fraud, and providing transparent facts about how our election process works. Survey research conducted by RightCount into the messengers and reforms most effective in building confidence among voters in Michigan confirmed a clear truth: voters want facts, strong safeguards, and total operational transparency.

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“Our research also revealed that voter confidence in Michigan increases significantly when citizens learn more about our state’s rigorous, multi-layered security protocols, such as pre-election testing of voting equipment, mandatory paper ballot trails, bipartisan canvassing boards, and post-election audits. Furthermore, voters express high levels of trust in their local municipal and county clerks, who live, work, and serve directly within their communities.

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“Our efforts will focus on educating the public about our state’s election safeguards, answering voters' questions directly, and encouraging citizens to get involved as workers, poll challengers, or simply observers of the process…”

Read the full op-ed on the Lansing State Journal’s website.

Michigan Leadership Advisory Council

RightCount’s Michigan team brings together prominent leaders from across the state to champion election integrity efforts, support municipal election workers, and ensure Michiganders can trust that their voices are heard and their votes are counted accurately.