LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Ralph Rebandt, a pastor who was bounced by the Board of State Canvassers from the Michigan gubernatorial ballot last week for invalid signatures on his nominating petitions, is challenging the move in the Court of Appeals.

Rebandt claims the “sampling” of his more than 18,000 signatures is based on a nonexistent law. He said a 2025 law that would continue signature sampling was not signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and therefore makes the process invalid.

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Last Thursday, the Michigan Board of State Canvassers reviewed petition signatures for candidates running for governor. Democrat Kim Thomas, an auditor, and Rebandt failed to meet the valid signature requirements.

“This is another example of what is wrong with government – unelected bureaucrats overriding your elected representatives,” Rebandt said.

He added, “I’ll keep fighting Jocelyn Benson and unelected bureaucrats to get on this ballot.”

Michigan’s Aug 4. primary election currently has four GOP candidates: former Attorney General Mike Cox, U.S. Representative John James, businessman Perry Johnson, and Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt. The Democratic candidates are Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. Karla Wagner is running as an Independent.