Lansing, MI — On Jan 13th, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the re-appointment of Mary Ellen Gurewitz and Richard Houskamp to the Board of State Canvassers. 

Board of State Canvassers  

Mary Ellen Gurewitz, of Detroit, spent many decades practicing union-side labor law in the private and public sectors as well as political and election law. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan. Ms. Gurewitz is appointed to represent Democrats for a term commencing February 1, 2023 and expiring January 31, 2027. 

Richard Houskamp, of Grand Rapids, is the CEO of Neural Planet and the managing partner of Visitworks. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Calvin University. Mr. Houskamp is appointed to represent Republicans for a term commencing February 1, 2023 and expiring January 31, 2027. 

The Board of State Canvassers canvasses and certifies statewide elections, elections for legislative districts that cross county lines and all judicial offices except Judge of the Probate Court. The Board also conducts recounts for state-level offices, canvasses nominating petitions filed with the Secretary of State and state-level ballot proposal petitions, assigns ballot designations and adopts ballot language for statewide ballot proposals, and approves electronic voting systems for use in the state. The Board of State Canvassers consists of four members — two members from each major political party — who are nominated by their state central committee.  

These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.