Michigan Cleans Up 2.1 Million Outdated Voter Registrations

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has announced a significant milestone in the state's ongoing effort to maintain accurate voter rolls. Her office has identified and processed over 2.1 million outdated voter registrations for removal or flagging.

This comprehensive cleanup represents one of the largest voter roll maintenance efforts in recent state history, addressing records that have become obsolete due to moves, deaths, or prolonged inactivity.

Breakdown of the Cleanup

The 2.1 million registrations fall into two main categories:

Canceled Registrations: Approximately 1.5 million registrations have been fully canceled. These include voters who have moved out of state, passed away, or otherwise become ineligible to vote in Michigan.

Inactive Registrations: Another 600,000 registrations have been marked as inactive. These registrants have not participated in recent elections and will be removed after two federal election cycles if they do not respond to outreach efforts or vote.

Among the records processed are over 180,000 people who have not voted in at least 20 years, representing some of the oldest inactive registrations in the system.

Context of Michigan's Voter Registration Growth

While the cleanup removes outdated records, Michigan has seen substantial growth in its voter rolls since 2019. During that time, the state has registered over 2.4 million new voters, reflecting both population changes and increased civic engagement efforts.

This growth, combined with the current cleanup, demonstrates the state's commitment to maintaining both accessible and accurate voter registration records.

What This Means for Voters

For the vast majority of active Michigan voters, this cleanup will have no impact. Registered voters who participate regularly in elections will remain on the rolls as usual.

Voters who have been marked inactive will receive notification from the Secretary of State's office. They can easily restore their active status by responding to the notice, updating their registration, or simply voting in the next election.

Residents who are unsure of their registration status can check online at Michigan.gov/vote or contact their local clerk's office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will this cleanup affect my ability to vote?
A: If you have voted within the past several election cycles, your registration remains active and unaffected by this cleanup.

Q: How can I check if my voter registration is still active?
A: Visit Michigan.gov/vote to verify your registration status, update your address, or register to vote.

Q: What happens if my registration was marked inactive?
A: You will receive a notice from the Secretary of State. You can restore your active status by responding, updating your registration, or voting in the next election.