A nonprofit organization has formally asked Michigan election officials to more closely scrutinize the nominating petition signatures submitted by Republican gubernatorial candidate Perry Johnson.
In an April 21 filing obtained exclusively by the Washington Reporter, America Works Fund Inc. submitted a written objection to the Michigan Board of State Canvassers requesting a “thorough canvass” of Johnson’s signatures for the 2026 Republican primary.
The group did not allege that Johnson’s current petition contains fraudulent signatures but argued that his prior campaign history warrants heightened review.
The objection centers on Johnson’s unsuccessful 2022 gubernatorial bid, when state election officials determined that thousands of submitted signatures were invalid, including a large number deemed fraudulent. As a result, Johnson failed to meet the required threshold to qualify for the ballot.
The filing also references the recent criminal convictions of individuals associated with a petition-gathering firm used during the 2022 campaign. According to the document, two operators were convicted in 2026 on multiple counts related to election fraud and forgery in connection with signature collection efforts.
America Works argues that these past issues justify additional scrutiny of Johnson’s current petition submissions. The group is asking the Board of State Canvassers and the Bureau of Elections to cross-check signatures against voter records, review for duplicate or invalid entries, and apply what it describes as a higher level of review before certifying the petitions.
The objection cites state law granting election officials authority to investigate nominating petitions and determine their validity.
Johnson, a businessman who has described himself as a “quality guru,” has acknowledged the problems with his 2022 petition effort, calling the experience “devastating” and characterizing the fraud as “egregious,” according to statements cited in the filing.
The Board of State Canvassers is responsible for reviewing petition signatures and determining whether candidates meet ballot access requirements. It is unclear when the board will take up the objection or whether additional filings will follow.
While Michigan hasn’t elected a Republican as governor in over a decade, the state is home to an unusual election this year. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is waging a highly-credible independent campaign for governor, and both parties have contested primaries.
Johnson’s top GOP opponent is Rep. John James (R., Mich.).
