Michigan’s Secretary of State office issues driver’s licenses, REAL ID cards, and a variety of permits. It also administers Michigan’s elections.

It’s a big job, and Barb Byrum says she’s best qualified to do it.

The Ingham County Clerk is seeking the Democratic Party nomination in 2026. She hopes to succeed Secretary Jocelyn Benson, who’s running for governor.

Who is Barb Byrum?

Byrum had served six years as a state lawmaker before Ingham County voters elected her clerk in 2012. Since then, she has overseen 40 elections. More recently, she has pushed back against misinformation and conspiracy theories on social media. 

Byrum says she has changed some minds.

“I know our elections are some of the safest and most secure in the nation,” she says. “I think I have helped people see that.”

Nevertheless, conspiracy theories persist. A popular one claims that noncitizens voting is rampant. In April, Benson’s office said it found 15 likely noncitizens had illegally voted in 2024. That represents less than 0.001% of all votes and did not affect the outcome of the presidential election.

While it may be rare, Byrum acknowledges it does happen. She says it shouldn’t.

“Noncitizens voting is unacceptable — full stop,” she says. “I’m working with stakeholders to balance security with fair access so every eligible voter can cast their ballot.”

Byrum says there’s a right way to handle it. She argues that President Donald Trump’s executive order on elections is not it.

“That proposal will not make our elections any more safe or secure,” she says. “What it will do is increase barriers, preventing voters to exercise their right.”

More: Benson warns Michigan voter citizenship proposal ‘isn’t about election security’

Byrum says Trump’s order would require everyone to re-register to vote. It does not specifically say that. But it does require the federal government to work with state and local election officials to verify everyone’s eligibility to vote.

The customer comes first

Benson and her predecessors have taken steps to reduce long waits at branch offices. They include scheduling appointments online and renewing license plates at automated kiosks in stores.

Byrum says she wants to build on that and find more ways to improve service.

“I look forward to doing a top-down review of the processes to save taxpayer dollars, increase efficiency, and meet customer needs,” she says.

Byrum is the second Democrat to enter the race. Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie was the first. No Republican has declared as of this post. Both parties will choose their nominees at their 2026 conventions.