Michigan's contentious Aug. 4 primary is now in the books and that means all political eyes are firmly on November.
Voters in the state will have several notable contests to decide. Here's a quick rundown on key election dates and prominent races taking place this fall.
When is Michigan's general election?
Election Day in Michigan is Tuesday, Nov. 3. On Election Day, polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. The mandatory early voting period — when local communities are required to offer early, in-person voting — runs from Saturday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 1. Hours for early voting will vary by location. In Michigan, eligible voters can also submit absentee ballots to cast their votes.
What's on the ballot in Michigan this year?
Several notable races, including elections for:
- Governor. According to unofficial results, Democrat and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson will face Republican U.S. Rep. John James in the gubernatorial election. Michigan's current Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited and cannot run again.
- U.S. Senate. Abdul El-Sayed, a former public health administrator, won a close race for the Democratic nomination and will face Republican former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers for one of Michigan's seats in the U.S. Senate in November. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, is retiring and didn't seek reelection.
- Congressional elections. All 13 of Michigan's seats in the U.S. House are up for election every two years, and there are a few notable races in this midterm. In Michigan's 7th Congressional District, Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, faces a challenge from progressive Lansing organizer William Lawrence. Lawrence emerged from a three-way Democratic primary, unofficial results show. In the 10th Congressional District, Democrat and former prosecutor Christina Hines will face veteran Mike Bouchard, a Republican and the son of Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, according to unofficial results. That district is vacant after James left it to run for governor.
- Michigan Legislature. All 110 seats in the Michigan House of Representatives and 38 seats in the Michigan Senate are up for election.
- Secretary of State. Democrats have endorsed Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II for the role, while Republicans have tabbed Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini. Benson is term-limited and cannot run for the role again.
- Attorney General. Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit is the Democratic nominee, while Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd is Republicans' pick. Current Attorney General Dana Nessel is also term-limited.
- Two Michigan Supreme Court seats: Two incumbent justices, Chief Justice Megan Cavanagh and Justice Noah Hood, are up for reelection. Both are nominated by Democrats. Republicans have nominated 23rd Circuit Judge Casandra Morse-Bills and Oakland County Circuit Judge Michael Warren. Although Michigan Supreme Court elections are considered nonpartisan, in order to qualify for the ballot, candidates must be nominated by a major political party in Michigan.
- A constitutional convention? Michigan's constitution requires voters to decide every 16 years whether it's time to rewrite it. Michigan's current constitution has been in place since 1963 and voters have rejected rewriting it three times since then.
- Money out of politics proposal. A petition initiative seeking to ban large companies with government contracts from making political contributions in Michigan is slated to appear on the ballot for voters to decide.
- Local elections will also appear on the ballot in communities across Michigan.
You can reach Arpan Lobo at alobo@freepress.com
Looking for more on Michigan’s elections this year? Check out our voter guide, subscribe to our elections newsletter and always feel free to share your thoughts in a letter to the editor.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: When is Michigan's 2026 general election? Key dates
