LANSING, Mich. — Two open statewide offices on Tuesday’s Michigan ballot are heading in different directions in the final stretch, according to a late-October survey: the race for attorney general is essentially a coin flip, while the secretary of state contest has tilted toward the Democrat.
Mitchell Research & Communications polled 636 likely voters Oct. 26-27 and released its findings on the two races Friday. In the attorney general race, Democrat Eli Savit, the Washtenaw County prosecutor, drew 44.6% to 42.2% for Republican Doug Lloyd, the Eaton County prosecutor. That gap sits inside the survey’s margin of error of plus or minus 3.9 points. The two had been even at 36% each in the firm’s early October poll, and independents split evenly this time at 37% apiece. Another 10% were undecided.
Term limits keep Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel off the ballot, leaving the office open. Whoever wins will lead the state’s legal and law enforcement arm, an agency with a staff of more than 500 attorneys, investigators and support staff. Pollster Steve Mitchell said in releasing the results that the contest is very close and could be a real opening for Republicans in an otherwise difficult year.
For secretary of state, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, the Democrat, led Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini, the Republican, by 51% to 42%. Earlier in October, Gilchrist was ahead 41% to 36%. He carried independents 49% to 38% in the new survey, and 6% of voters remained undecided. Mitchell said the numbers look good for Democrats and that Gilchrist is likely to win.
Jocelyn Benson, who holds the job now, cannot seek another term there and is the Democratic nominee for governor instead. The office oversees elections along with driver’s licenses and vehicle registration. Forlini, who runs elections in Macomb County as clerk, previously served in the state House from 2011 to 2016.
The poll combined online panels with survey links texted to randomly chosen registered voters and was weighted using demographics and turnout from the 2022 and 2024 elections. Polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday and close at 8 p.m.
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