Democracy Defense Foundation: Can we trust our elections? | Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
Type: Public event
Host: Ford School

Democracy Defense Foundation: Can we trust our elections?

A bipartisan conversation on election security

Speaker

John Engler, James J. Blanchard, Michael D. Bishop, John D. Cherry, Jr.

Date & time

Sep 17, 2026, 11:45 am-12:50 pm EDT

Location

Weill Hall, Annenberg Auditorium
735 South State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

As part of the University of Michigan's Democracy Week, join the Ford School for a bipartisan conversation with the Michigan leadership team of the Democracy Defense Foundation on election security, public trust, and democratic participation.

The discussion will feature former Michigan Governors John Engler and James J. Blanchard, former U.S. Representative Michael D. Bishop, and former Lieutenant Governor John D. Cherry, Jr. Their work with the Democracy Defense Foundation focuses on strengthening public understanding of the transparency, safety, security, and validity of the electoral process. The conversation will explore Michigan's history of secure elections, the safeguards already in place to protect election outcomes, and the role of bipartisan dialogue in defending democratic institutions.

Timed with Constitution Day and the broader U-M Democracy Week initiative, the event comes as Michigan prepares for the 2026 elections and as absentee voting and campus voter engagement efforts begin. Voter registration and election information resources will be available.