2026 Voter Guide

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Voter Guide General Election

LIVE election coverage with WDET

Stay informed on election night with trusted, local coverage from WDET. Starting when polls close at 8 p.m., Morning Edition-Detroit host Pat Batcheller will bring you live results, updates and analysis through midnight.

Then, join The Metro at 10 a.m. the next morning as we break down the results and what they mean for Michigan.

Latest election news

This round of midterm elections has essential races on the local and national scale. Michigan will elect a new governor, attorney general, and secretary of state. Current senator Gary Peters announced his retirement, leaving one U.S. senate seat up for grabs, and elections are being held for state congress, and U.S. House representatives.

Also on the ballot: a Michigan constitutional convention.

The primary to narrowed down the candidate pool on Aug. 4, with Election Day falling on Nov. 3. 

Helpful links

Important dates

June 25: Absentee voting begins for the primary

July 6: Early voting for primary begins

Aug. 4: Primary

Nov. 3: General Election

Races to follow

Michigan Governor

Democrat candidate

  • Jocelyn Benson

Republican candidate

  • John James

Attorney General

Democrat candidate

  • Eli Savit 

Republican candidate

  • Doug Lloyd

Secretary of State

Democrat candidates

  • Garlin Gilchrist II

Republican candidates

  • Anthony Forlini

US Senator

There is one U.S. Senate seat open for Michigan. Incumbent Gary Peters has decided not to run for re-election. 

Abdul El-Sayed (D) will run against Mike Rogers (R). 

US House 

WDET is providing coverage for districts 5-7, 9-13. WDET will also provide coverage through the Michigan Public Radio Network of key events and candidates in Congressional Districts 1 – 4, 8.

Democrat candidate:

  • Callie Barr

Republican candidate:

  • Jack Bergman (incumbent)

Democrat candidate: 

  • Ben Ambrose

Republican candidate:

  • John Moolenaar (incumbent)

Democrat candidate: 

  • Hillary Scholten (incumbent)

Republican candidate:

  • Terri DeBoer
Read candidate responses to our election survey

Democrat candidate:

  • Sean McCann

Republican candidate:

  • Bill Huizenga (incumbent)

Democrat candidate: 

  • Christian Vukasovich 

Republican candidate:

  • Tim Walberg (incumbent)

Democrat candidate:

  • Debbie Dingell (incumbent)

Republican candidate:

  • Heather Smiley
Read candidate responses to our election survey

Democrat candidate: 

  • William Lawrence

Republican candidate:

  • Tom Barrett (incumbent)
Read candidate responses to our election survey

Democrat candidate:

  • Kristen McDonald Rivet (incumbent)

Republican candidate:

  • Thomas J. Smith

Democratic candidate:

  • Ray Pooley

Republican candidate: 

  • Lisa McClain (incumbent)

Democrat candidate:

  • Christina Hines

Republican candidate:

  • Michael Bouchard

Democrat candidate:

  • Jeremy Moss

Republican candidate:

  • Ethan Baker

Democratic candidate:

  • Rashida Tlaib (incumbent)

Republican candidate:

  • James Hooper

Democrat candidate:

  • Donavan McKinney 

Republican candidate:

  • T.P. Nykoriak

State Senate

Democratic candidates: 

  • Abraham Aiyash
  • Justin Onwenu

Republican candidate: 

  • Patrick O’Connell

Democratic candidates: 

  • Abbas Alawieh
  • Erin Byrnes

Republican candidate: 

  • Harry Sawicki

Ballot measures

Michiganders will vote on whether or not to hold a constitutional convention in 2026.  

A Wayne County millage to fund the SMART bus system is also being proposed. 

Election news by WDET

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Last updated: Oct. 27, 2026 at 12:43 p.m.