Mich. Comp. Laws » Michigan Compiled Laws / Chapter 168 / Act 116 of 1954
Michigan Compiled Laws

Mich. Comp. Laws § 168.21 (2026)

Secretary of state; chief election officer, powers and duties.

✓ current as of July 2026
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MICHIGAN ELECTION LAW


Act 116 of 1954


168.21 Secretary of state; chief election officer, powers and duties.

Sec. 21.

    The secretary of state shall be the chief election officer of the state and shall have supervisory control over local election officials in the performance of their duties under the provisions of this act.

History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955

PopularName Notes:

Election Code
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 18 cases (7 in the last 5 years), 1962–2026 · leading case: Citizens Protecting Michigan's Constitution v. Sec'y of State, 761 N.W.2d 210 (Mich. Ct. App. 2008).
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Citizens Protecting Michigan's Constitution v. Sec'y of State, 761 N.W.2d 210 (Mich. Ct. App. 2008). “MCL 168.21. The Board is established by the constitution and by statute.”
Scholle v. Sec'y of State, 116 N.W.2d 350 (Mich. 1962). · cites it 2× “) [9] Pertinent sections of the Michigan election law as amended (CLS 1956, § 168.21, and CLS 1956, § 168.31, as amended by PA 1957, No 249 [Stat Ann 1956 Rev § 6.”
Citizens Protecting Michigan's Constitution v. Sec'y of State, 922 N.W.2d 404 (Mich. Ct. App. 2018). “*409 MCL 168.21. See also Const. 1963, art. 5, § 3.”
Fitzpatrick v. Sec'y of State, 440 N.W.2d 45 (Mich. Ct. App. 1989). “29(26), and is the chief election officer of the state, MCL 168.21; MSA 6.1021. Therefore, there is no doubt that defendant Secretary of State is the head of a department and a high-ranking official.”
In Re Investigative Subpoenas, 779 N.W.2d 277 (Mich. Ct. App. 2009). “” MCL 168.21. The MCFA commits to the Secretary of State numerous tasks related to the implementation, administration, and enforcement of Michigan’s campaign finance laws.”
Robert Davis v. Sec'y of State (Mich. Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 3× “The single executives heading principal departments shall include a secretary of state, a state treasurer and an attorney general.”
Robert Davis v. Sec'y of State (Mich. Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 2× “” The Legislature followed that directive by granting the Secretary of State supervisory power over local election officials under MCL 168.21 and by granting the Secretary of State the powers specified by MCL 168.”
Ypsilanti Twp. Citizens for Responsible Gov't v. Sec'y of State of MichigaN (E.D. Mich. 2022). · cites it 2× “Mich. Comp. Laws §168.21 . But Plaintiff YTCRG is not challenging any part of the election law or the Secretary’s direction on how the election law is to be enforced.”
Citizens Protecting Michigan's Constitution v. Sec'y of State (Mich. Ct. App. 2018). “MCL 168.21. See also Const 1963, art 5, § 3.”
Senate v. Sec'y of State (Mich. Ct. App. 2020). “8 MCL 168.21. See also Const 1963, art 5, § 3.”
League of Women Voters of Michigan v. Sec'y of State (Mich. Ct. App. 2020). “MCL 168.21. Defendant shall “[a]dvise and direct local election officials as to the proper methods of conducting elections.”
Robert Davis v. Sec'y of State (Mich. Ct. App. 2020). “Under MCL 168.21, defendant is “the chief election officer of the state and shall have supervisory control over local election officials in the performance of their duties under the provisions of this act.”
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