ANTRIM COUNTY, Mich. — State election officials are investigating whether the Antrim County clerk improperly canceled or altered voter registrations, raising new concerns about election administration in a county that has remained under intense scrutiny since the 2020 presidential election.
According to the Michigan Bureau of Elections, Clerk Victoria Bishop may have taken actions that exceeded her legal authority by issuing voter cancellation notices and modifying records in the state’s Qualified Voter File, commonly known as the QVF.
In a formal letter sent earlier this month, Bureau Director Jonathan Brater stated that the agency had received reports from voters and local officials about “concerning activity” tied to Bishop’s office. A subsequent review of the QVF revealed what officials described as “sufficient irregularities” to warrant further investigation.
Allegations of Improper Cancellations
At the center of the dispute is whether Bishop improperly targeted voters who had not participated in recent elections. State officials say evidence suggests cancellation or confirmation notices were sent to individuals who missed one or two major election cycles.
Under Michigan law, however, voter registrations cannot be canceled solely for failing to vote.
The Bureau also alleges that Bishop may have:
Changed voter statuses in the QVF to “Cancel” or “Reject” without proper authorization
Failed to independently verify voter information before taking action
Acted without delegation from city or township clerks, who are legally responsible for maintaining voter rolls
State officials emphasized that county clerks do not have unilateral authority to conduct voter maintenance or directly alter registration statuses in the statewide system.
Bishop Defends “Corrective Audit”
Bishop, a Republican elected in 2024, has defended her actions, describing them as part of a “corrective audit” aimed at improving the accuracy of voter rolls.
She argues that sending notices to voters was intended to prompt verification and ensure outdated registrations—such as those belonging to deceased individuals or people who have moved—are addressed. Bishop has also said that maintaining accurate voter rolls is essential to restoring public confidence in elections.
In public statements, she has framed her actions as a response to what she describes as past administrative failures, particularly during the 2020 election cycle.
Bishop is married to Randy Bishop, a conservative talk radio personality often known as “Trucker Randy,” who has publicly promoted claims that the 2020 election was stolen.
Potential Legal Consequences
The Bureau of Elections has ordered Bishop to provide a detailed explanation of her actions, including a list of affected voters and justification for any changes made in the QVF.
Failure to comply could carry serious consequences. State officials noted that:
Election duties could be reassigned or removed
Violations of lawful directives may result in misdemeanor charges
Michigan has previously taken similar action against local clerks accused of violating election law, including temporarily stripping authority in high-profile cases.
Antrim County’s Ongoing Election Spotlight
This latest controversy unfolds in Antrim County, a northern Michigan community that became nationally known following the 2020 election. At that time, a reporting error briefly showed incorrect presidential results due to a tabulator update issue, which was later corrected.
Despite the correction, the incident fueled widespread claims of election fraud and placed the county at the center of ongoing political and legal debates about election integrity.
Bishop campaigned on addressing those concerns, pledging to clean up voter rolls and strengthen confidence in the system. Her election reflected continued skepticism among some voters about the accuracy of election administration.
What Comes Next
The Bureau’s investigation is ongoing, and Bishop faces a deadline to respond with documentation and explanations of her actions. The outcome could determine whether the issue remains an administrative dispute or escalates into formal legal proceedings.
As Michigan prepares for upcoming elections, the case underscores the tension between efforts to ensure voter roll accuracy and the legal safeguards designed to protect voter access.
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