Garlin Gilchrist II (D) defeated Anthony Forlini (R) and three other candidates in the general election for Michigan Secretary of State on November 3, 2026.

Incumbent Jocelyn Benson (D) ran for governor. Benson was re-elected 55.9%–41.9% in 2022. That year, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) was re-elected 54.5%–43.9%. In 2024, President Donald Trump (R) defeated Kamala Harris (D) 49.7%–48.3% in the presidential election in Michigan, and Elissa Slotkin (D) won the U.S. Senate election 48.6%–48.3%.

Gilchrist was elected lieutenant governor on a joint ticket with Whitmer in 2018. He earlier worked as a software engineer with Microsoft and as a community organizer. Gilchrist completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. In his survey response, Gilchrist wrote, "As Lieutenant Governor, I have been to all 83 counties three or more times, leading by listening to Michiganders of all backgrounds about what is in the way of them achieving their full potential right here in Michigan. I am running for Secretary of State because Michigan is ground zero in the battle for free and fair elections. Unlike typical politicians, I refuse to take any corporate PAC money because for far too long dark money and corporate interests have undue influence in our elections."

Forlini was elected Macomb County Clerk in 2020. He served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2011 to 2016 and as Harrison Township Supervisor from 2004 to 2011. Forlini completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. In his survey response, Forlini wrote, "Election security isn’t partisan. It is foundational and necessary for a health election process. My focus is practical: strengthen safeguards, standardize best practices, and make it easier for the public to trust the process. I support voting systems that are secure, auditable, and protected from avoidable vulnerabilities. Election integrity is achieved through standards and competence, not slogans."

This election, along with the elections for governor and attorney general, determined Michigan's triplex status. Heading into the 2026 election, Michigan had a Democratic triplex because the governor, attorney general, and secretary of state were all Democrats. Because Democrats won all three elections, they maintained their triplex in Michigan. If Republicans had won at least one of the three, they would have broken the Democratic triplex. If Republicans had won all three, they would have gained a triplex in Michigan.

The Michigan Secretary of State is responsible for managing the state's elections and motor vehicle registrations, as well as maintaining state government records and certifying official documents. This was one of 26 secretary of state elections that took place in 2026. Thirty-five of 50 states hold elections for secretary of state.

Minor party, independent, and write-in candidates included Eric Borregard (G), Christine Sloan (L), and Scott Aughney (U.S. Taxpayers Party).