State board bars two men and three firms from circulating petitions for four years after fraud convictions
February 23, 2026 | Department of State, Boards and Commissions, Organizations , Executive, Michigan
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The State Board of Canvassers on Feb. 23 voted to bar two individuals and three companies from circulating nominating petitions in Michigan for four years after criminal convictions tied to fraudulent signatures submitted in the 2022 filing season.
Director Brater of the Bureau of Elections told the board that petitions from 2022 contained a very large number of fraudulent signatures and that the bureau referred the matter to the attorney general’s office and law enforcement. "We're recommending that the Board disqualify these circulators going forward," Director Brater said during the discussion.
Board members reviewed the history: the bureau estimated the firms submitted roughly 70,000 signatures that were later confirmed as suspect and that two individuals were convicted in a recent jury trial. Members debated enforcement details, including whether the disqualification should apply prospectively or invalidate signatures gathered before the board’s vote. The bureau recommended a prospective approach so that signatures collected up to the announcement date remain valid and future signatures collected by the disqualified circulators would be invalid.
The board’s motion, made during the meeting, stated in part: "I move that effective 02/23/2026, the State Board of Canvassers disqualify Sean Milwath, Willie Reed, First Choice LLC, MacDouglas LLC, and Petitions Reed LLC from circulating petitions for 4 years in the state of Michigan." The motion was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.
Board members discussed how the disqualification will be enforced. The bureau said it will publish the names and companies on its website and share notice with its distribution lists; challenges and evidence submitted in particular petition challenges would be the primary means to show the circulator on a given petition had been disqualified. The bureau also noted the board has subpoena power in contexts where it needs to determine whether circulators were working for a particular company.
On penalties, participants noted that courts may impose larger fines than the board’s administrative penalty. The materials cited MCL 168.55544(c) as allowing the board to impose an administrative fine of up to $5,000 on an organization sponsoring a petition drive; the board discussed that courts could impose greater penalties through the criminal process.
Board members also asked the bureau to include an effective date on its public notice so that candidates and petition sponsors understand which petitions are incumbent and which would be affected going forward. The board set the effective date in the motion as Feb. 23, 2026.
The board asked staff to draft clear website notice and consider whether petition filers should be required to disclose if they are using any now-disqualified firms. The board did not adopt a requirement at the meeting but voted to seek coordination with legislative and enforcement partners to address registration and disclosure questions in the future.
The action takes effect as stated in the board’s motion and the bureau will post notice and guidance for candidates and petition sponsors.
Director Brater of the Bureau of Elections told the board that petitions from 2022 contained a very large number of fraudulent signatures and that the bureau referred the matter to the attorney general’s office and law enforcement. "We're recommending that the Board disqualify these circulators going forward," Director Brater said during the discussion.
Board members reviewed the history: the bureau estimated the firms submitted roughly 70,000 signatures that were later confirmed as suspect and that two individuals were convicted in a recent jury trial. Members debated enforcement details, including whether the disqualification should apply prospectively or invalidate signatures gathered before the board’s vote. The bureau recommended a prospective approach so that signatures collected up to the announcement date remain valid and future signatures collected by the disqualified circulators would be invalid.
The board’s motion, made during the meeting, stated in part: "I move that effective 02/23/2026, the State Board of Canvassers disqualify Sean Milwath, Willie Reed, First Choice LLC, MacDouglas LLC, and Petitions Reed LLC from circulating petitions for 4 years in the state of Michigan." The motion was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.
Board members discussed how the disqualification will be enforced. The bureau said it will publish the names and companies on its website and share notice with its distribution lists; challenges and evidence submitted in particular petition challenges would be the primary means to show the circulator on a given petition had been disqualified. The bureau also noted the board has subpoena power in contexts where it needs to determine whether circulators were working for a particular company.
On penalties, participants noted that courts may impose larger fines than the board’s administrative penalty. The materials cited MCL 168.55544(c) as allowing the board to impose an administrative fine of up to $5,000 on an organization sponsoring a petition drive; the board discussed that courts could impose greater penalties through the criminal process.
Board members also asked the bureau to include an effective date on its public notice so that candidates and petition sponsors understand which petitions are incumbent and which would be affected going forward. The board set the effective date in the motion as Feb. 23, 2026.
The board asked staff to draft clear website notice and consider whether petition filers should be required to disclose if they are using any now-disqualified firms. The board did not adopt a requirement at the meeting but voted to seek coordination with legislative and enforcement partners to address registration and disclosure questions in the future.
The action takes effect as stated in the board’s motion and the bureau will post notice and guidance for candidates and petition sponsors.
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