On Nov. 3, voters across Michigan will cast ballots in a number of consequential races: Jocelyn Benson and John James are vying to become Michigan’s next governor, Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers face off in a nationally watched U.S. Senate race, and Democrats and Republicans are fighting for control of the Michigan Legislature.
There are countless more names on the ballot as candidates race to fill major statewide offices, congressional and state legislative seats, and that’s why we've collected information from them to help you make a decision. Our voter guide – separate from the Detroit Free Press' news coverage and the Detroit Free Press Editorial Board's endorsements – offers candidates the chance to communicate with voters in their own words,
on everything from data centers, taxes, affordability and more. We remove entries that include false or unverifiable statements, personal attacks on other candidates or foul language, but responses are otherwise unedited.
How to vote
Local clerks mailed absentee ballots to Michigan voters Sept. 24. Registered voters may cast ballots early, in person, across the state from Oct. 24 to Nov. 1 ‒ check with your local clerk for your city's early voting start date, location of early voting sites and absentee ballot dropboxes. And, of course, you can vote ‒ and register to vote ‒ in person on Nov. 3, Election Day.
What Michigan district am I in?
Find your district for U.S. House, Michigan Senate and Michigan House races, and use the links below to learn more about each candidate.
Jump ahead: U.S. Senate ● U.S. House ● Governor ● Attorney General ● Secretary of State ● Michigan Legislature
U.S. Senate: Abdul El-Sayed vs. Mike Rogers
Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed is up against Republican former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers in a neck-and-neck race for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat. El-Sayed, 41, of Ann Arbor, is the former director of Detroit and Wayne County's health departments. Rogers, 63, of White Lake, is a former U.S. representative of Michigan’s 8th Congressional District. The winner will fill the vacancy created by the pending retirement of U.S. Sen. Gary Peters. It is one of the nation’s most-watched U.S. Senate race, because it’s viewed as critically important to Democrats hoping to retake control of the chamber.
- Democrat: ABDUL EL-SAYED
- Republican: MIKE ROGERS (Rogers did not return the Free Press Voter Guide questionnaire)
U.S. House
Michigan voters in each of the 13 congressional districts will select a candidate to represent them in the U.S. House. Two races in and around Metro Detroit are considered toss-ups this year: Democratic candidate William Lawrence challenges Republican incumbent Tom Barrett in Michigan’s 7th District, and Democratic candidate Christina Hines and Republican candidate Michael Bouchard campaign to fill incumbent U.S. Rep. John James’ seat in Michigan’s 10th District. (James is running for governor.)
- U.S. HOUSE
Governor: Jocelyn Benson vs. John James
In a competitive race, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, and Republican U.S. Rep. John James face off in their campaigns for governor after eight years with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in command. Benson, 48, of Detroit, has served as secretary of state since 2019. James, 45, of Shelby Township, currently represents Michigan's 10th Congressional District, which includes part of Macomb and Oakland counties.
- Democrat: JOCELYN BENSON
- Republican: JOHN JAMES
Attorney General: Eli Savit vs. Doug Lloyd
For attorney general, Eli Savit and Doug Lloyd race to succeed Democratic incumbent Dana Nessel, who is term-limited and ineligible to seek reelection. Savit, 43, of Ann Arbor, is the Democratic candidate and Washtenaw County prosecutor and Lloyd, 60, of Delta Township, is the Republican candidate and Eaton County prosecutor.
- Democrat: ELI SAVIT
- Republican: DOUG LLOYD
Secretary of State: Garlin Gilchrist vs. Anthony Forlini
Democratic candidate Garlin Gilchrist II and Republican candidate Anthony Forlini are up against each other to replace outgoing Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Gilchrist, 44, of Detroit, currently serves as Michigan’s lieutenant governor, and Forlini, 64, of Harrison Township, is the Macomb County clerk.
- Democrat: GARLIN GILCHRIST II
- Republican: ANTHONY FORLINI (Forlini did not return the Free Press Voter Guide questionnaire)
State Legislature
Michigan voters will elect representatives and senators to fill a number of open seats in the state Legislature. While the Democratic Party currently controls the upper chamber and the Republican Party the lower chamber, both parties want to take control of the state Legislature next session. The voter guide includes candidates from competitive Michigan House and Senate races in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.
- MICHIGAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
- MICHIGAN SENATE
Find your district
- U.S. House
- Michigan Senate
- Michigan House
Don't see your district or candidate? Here's why
The Free Press invited candidates in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and some statewide races to participate in the voter guide. Free Press staff followed up to ensure each candidate received our questionnaire, but some candidates simply choose not to participate.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Free Press 2026 voter guide: Candidates on data centers, affordability and more
