Michigan election guide: What are we voting for today?
FOX 2 - Michigan's midterm election is taking place today, with voters deciding a new governor and who will fill an open U.S. Senate seat in one of the most contentious races in the country.
Here’s what you need to know:
What are we voting for today?
Big picture view:
No matter where you live, all Michiganders will have a say in their pick for:
- Michigan governor
- Michigan Secretary of State
- Michigan Attorney General
- Congressional U.S. Senator
- Proposal 1: Revising state constitution
- Proposal 2: Money out of politics
Districts will also be voting on state senators and representatives in Congress.
And metro Detroit is also voting to renew the zoo millage and approve a Detroit museum millage.
What you can do:
See a sample of what’s on your ballot here. You just need to input your county, city and voting precinct.
What you can do:
See a sample of what’s on your ballot here. You just need to input your county, city and voting precinct.
Read more about the governor's race here.
Read more about the Senate race here.
U.S. Rep Debbie Dingell, State Sen. Mallory McMorrow talk about fallout from Stevens endorsement
On a special Sunday night edition of The Pulse, Anchor Roop Raj breaks down the surprise endorsement of Republican United State Senate Candidate Mike Rogers by Democratic Congresswoman and Former Senate Candidate Haley Stevens. Rogers joins The Pulse for an exclusive conversation about the endorsement, as well as the state of the race. Plus, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell and State Senator Mallory McMorrow discuss the possible fallout for Democratic Senate Candidate Abdul El-Sayed, as well as for the party as a whole.
What time do polls open and close in Michigan?
Timeline:
Polls open at 7 a.m. local time in Michigan and close at 8 p.m. local time. Note that some counties in the Upper Peninsula are on Central Time.
Although polls close at 8 p.m., as long as you have received your ballot and are standing in line by 8 p.m. you will be allowed to vote.
How do I vote?
(FOX 2)
What you can do:
All registered voters in Michigan can vote at their polling place on Election Day. Look up your polling place here.
Unregistered voters, or voters who have not updated their registration to their current address, must go to their local clerk’s office to register and may also vote at their clerk’s office.
Do I need my ID to vote?
By law, voters in possession of a photo ID must present it at the polls, but in Michigan, you’re not required to possess a photo ID in order. Voters without a photo ID may sign an affidavit and will be issued a ballot.
Get more info on voting without an ID in Michigan here.
How long will I have to wait?
It depends on your district, but thanks to early voting and absentee ballots – probably not very long.
About 1.2 million Michigan residents have already voted in the election, according to state officials on Monday.
The state reported an early turnout rate of 16.5% of the state’s active registered voters, with more than 138,000 using an early voting site and more than one million submitting their ballots through the mail via absentee.
Dig deeper:
Here are a few more things to know before you head to the poll:
- Michigan law prohibits campaign materials, clothing and accessories with 100 feet of a polling place.
- You can take voter information guide or pamphlets with you to vote – just make sure you take them with you when you leave.
- You can take selfies outside the voting area only.
- Bring your ID with you, or you can sign an affidavit to be issued a ballot.
Michigan election results
Watch live:
FOX 2 will have live coverage of the 2026 Midterm Elections later tonight.
Coverage will begin at 5 p.m., and FOX 2 will be live through the night, until every major race is called.
You can watch coverage of the 2026 Midterm Election on FOX 2, and streaming online on the FOX LOCAL app and YouTube, and track live election results online at fox2detroit.com and on your FOX LOCAL app.
Bus rides for Detroiters
Big picture view:
You can ride a DDOT bus for free on Election Day, on both fixed routes and paratransit.
What is a ‘Straight Party Ticket’ ’Mixed Ticket' and ‘Split Ticket’
There are three ways to vote in Michigan: a straight ticket, a split ticket, or a mixed ticket. All three are valid.
The choice only impacts the partisan section of the ballot where political parties are listed with the candidates. The nonpartisan and proposal sections are always voted race by race.
- Straight Party Ticket: Fill in one party's oval for all of its candidates in the partisan section.
- Mixed Ticket Voting: Avoid the party option, and choose each candidate from different parties on a race-by-race basis.
- Split Ticket: Voters can override their Straight Ticket choice for any office. Each straight ticket party candidate will still receive a vote except where superseded by a direct vote for a candidate (i.e. a candidate from a different party).
Michigan governor’s race
Dig deeper:
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has reached her term limit after serving two four-year terms, and is unable to run again.
Democratic candidate:
- Jocelyn Benson
Benson, the current Secretary of State, is running with Michigan Sen. Winnie Brinks (District 29) for lt. governor.
Benson discusses campaign for governor on eve of election
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson joined The Pulse Anchor Roop Raj to discuss her campaign for governor as election day nears. Plus, continuing discussion of Rep. Haley Stevens' endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers with Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, Communications Expert Andrea Bitely and Conservative Commentator Jamie Roe
Republican candidate:
- John James
James, currently US House Representative (10th District), is running with Michigan Rep. Jay DeBoyer (63rd District).
James discusses race for Governor with 6 days until Election Day
Congressman and Republican Candidate for Governor John James joins The Pulse to discuss the state of his campaign against Secretary of State and Democratic Candidate Jocelyn Benson, who will appear on The Pulse Monday. Plus, Detroit News Political Reporter Craig Mauger and Bitely Communications Founder & Principal Andrea Bitely weigh in on both the races for Governor and United States Senate
Chasing History:
If James were to win, he would be the first African-American governor ever in Michigan.
Benson and Brinks would be the first-ever all-female ticket to win. Benson, meanwhile, by succeeding Whitmer, would make back-to-back woman governors for the first time in state history.
Michigan Senate race
Big picture view:
This seat in the Senate for Michigan is open because Democrat Sen. Gary Peters is retiring.
Why you should care:
The rare opening is a top target for Republicans to tack on a new seat this fall and retain their majority – while the seat is a must-hold for Democrats as they aim to win back the majority.
Democratic candidate:
- Abdul El-Sayed
Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed goes 1-on-1 with Josh Landon
Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is in a critical midterm battle with Republican Mike Rogers. El-Sayed talks about his stance on the issues and more in this no holds barred interview.
Republican candidate
- Mike Rogers
Senate candidate Mike Rogers goes 1-on-1 with Josh Landon
Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers is in a critical midterm battle with Democrat Abdul El-Sayed. Rogers talks about his stance on the issues and more in this no holds barred interview.
The race has national implications with the Republicans holding a slim lead in the U.S. Senate – which took center stage Sunday.
Democrat Congresswoman Haley Stevens shook up the race by publicly endorsing Rogers Sunday, against El-Sayed.
Mike Rogers discusses endorsement from Haley Stevens in exclusive interview
Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Mike Rogers talks to Roop Raj about the surprise endorsement from U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens. She attended a stop at a Detroit church Sunday morning and then announced her endorsement of him. Rogers spoke exclusively on a special episode of The Pulse Sunday evening.
It is also a study in contrasts, with Rogers, a political veteran, having served in the US House for 14 years. Prior to that, he lost the last election cycle to now-Sen. Elissa Slotkin by a razor-thin margin.
El-Sayed is a political outsider whose only previous run for office was an unsuccessful bid for governor in 2018.
Abdul El-Sayed: I don't think about Haley Stevens
Abdul El-Sayed responded to Haley Stevens' endorsement of Mike Rogers today at a campaign event.
A former director of both the Wayne County and Detroit health departments, he is endorsed by progressive champions Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Chasing History:
El-Sayed became the first Muslim candidate to clinch a major party nomination for the U.S. Senate in American history. If he wins, he would be the first Muslin US senator in history.
If Rogers were to win, he would be the first Republican U.S. Senator from Michigan since 1994.
Attorney General race
Big picture view:
The Michigan attorney general is the state's top law enforcement official and lawyer. Current AG Dana Nessel is term-limited and cannot run again.
- Democratic candidate: Eli Savit
- Republican candidate: Doug Lloyd
Secretary of State race
Big picture view:
The Michigan Secretary of State is the chief election officer and chief motor vehicles administrator. Current SOS Benson is term-limited and running for governor.
- Democratic candidate: Garlin Gilchrist II
- Republican candidate: Anthony G. Forlini
Also on the ballot
Proposal 1:
Should Michigan rewrite its constitution? That’s the prop 1 question on voters’ ballots.
A ‘Yes’ vote would make Michigan hold a constitutional convention and start the process of drafting a new document to govern Michigan’s laws.
A ‘No’ vote would keep everything the same, although individual laws can always be changed with traditional ballot measures.
Proposal 2:
Should Michigan voters limit what sorts of companies can make political contributions?
Proposal 2 on the 2026 midterm ballot asks voters if they want to prohibit regulated utility companies and government contractors from making political contributions.
Millage Questions
Local governments struggle to pass millages
Orion Township supervisor Chris Barnett gives insider perspective about what local government is dealing with, after public safety millages failed to pass in the August primary.
Zoo Millage: Voters in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties will vote whether to renew the current millage.
- The Detroit Zoo millage is for 10 years at 0.1 mill and is a renewal, not an increase.
If approved, about $8.8 million would be collected in the first year and go towards maintenance and operations at the 125-acre park, for about 2,000 animals.
Museum Millage: Voters in Oakland and Wayne counties are deciding whether to approve a 0.2 mill tax (20 cents per $1,000 of taxable value) for ten years, 2026 through 2035.
Approving the millage would cost about $30 a year on a home worth $300,000, according to those advocating for the renewal to:
- The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
- Detroit Historical Society
What is a millage?
Police and fire millages on the ballot in Oakland County
Other communities facing similar millage situations are Independence, Brandon Townships for police and Highland Township for fire.
A mill represents $1 for every $1,000 of a property's taxable value.
By the numbers:
To find out how much a millage is, multiply your property's taxable value by the number of mills and divide by 1,000 – keeping in mind the taxable value on your home is not the same number as how much your house is worth, and that it will be lower.
You can find the taxable value of your home on your tax bill or your government’s online database.
For more on the ballot:
The Source: Information in this article was taken from Michigan’s Department of State, Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey, the Detroit Department of Transportation and previous FOX 2 reporting.