ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan’s bipartisan board of the Democracy Defense Foundationjoined the Ford School today during theUniversity of Michigan’s Democracy Week and highlighted election security, public trust and democratic participation in Michigan elections.
Govs. Jim Blanchard, a Democrat, and John Engler, a Republican; former Lt. Gov. John Cherry, a Democrat; and former Congressman Mike Bishop, a Republican, released the following statement in conjunction with their participation in a Ford School panel forum:
“During Democracy Week at the University of Michigan, the bipartisan Democracy Defense Foundation is excited to participate in bipartisan, civil dialogues about how we can continue to support local elections workers in our communities. Thanks to these frontline heroes of our democracy, Michigan elections are safe, secure and accurate. The Democracy Defense Foundation applauds the Ford School at the University of Michigan for engaging students, scholars, policymakers and everyday Americans in the work of upholding freedom, liberty and our right to vote.”
Blanchard, Engler, Cherry and Bishop participated in a forum titled “Michigan Elections: Local elections, national scrutiny and public trust.” Ford School Professor Gerald (Rusty) Hills moderated the discussion.
A DDF poll this summer found that an overwhelming majority of Michigan voters – more than 85% – expressed confidence in their local elections and trust local elections officials.
The U-M event can be viewed in its entirety on Ford School’s YouTube channel.
From left: University of Michigan political science professor Gerald (Rusty) Hills, former Michigan Gov. John Engler, former Lt. Gov. John Cherry, former Congressman Mike Bishop, and former Michigan Gov. Jim Blanchard participate in a forum about elections safeguards, trust and confidence in elections, and the importance of local elections workers in a forum at U-M on Thursday. Engler, Blanchard, Cherry and Bishop serve as bipartisan board members of the Democracy Defense Foundation. Thursday’s event is part of U-M’s Democracy Week celebration and features ways to be more engaged in elections and democracy.
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Published: Sep 17, 2026
