BridgeDetroit will never tell you who to vote for. But we do want you to feel informed and empowered to vote. Use this nonpartisan voter guide to help you prepare.

Detroit Votes and Bridge Michigan partnered with BridgeDetroit in the creation of this guide. If you have suggestions for election coverage, reach out: info@bridgedetroit.com | (313) 284-6407

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Who are the statewide candidates? 

• Full list of candidates for every race
• Governor: John James (R),  Jocelyn Benson (D), Anthony Hudson, (Libertarian), Donna Brandenburg, (U.S. Taxpayers), Douglas Campbell (Green)
  • Governor candidate stances on key issues: K-12 schools | Health care | Data centers | Taxes 
• Attorney General: Doug Lloyd (R), Eli Savit (D), Jason Dye (Libertarian), John Ludtke Jr. (U.S. Taxpayers), Jeff Polonowski (Green)
• Secretary of State: Anthony Forlini (R), Garlin Gilchrist II (D), Christine Sloan (Libertarian), Scott Aughney (U.S. Taxpayers), Eric Borregard (Green)
• US Senate: Mike Rogers (R), Abdul El-Sayed (D), Lydia Christensen (Libertarian), Tim Long (U.S. Taxpayers), Douglas P. Marsh (Green)
• US House: Explore candidates in all 13 districts
• Michigan House: Candidates in all 110 districts
• Michigan Senate: Candidates in all 38 districts
• State Board of Education (2 positions open, 8-year term): Terence Collins (R), Bree Moeggenberg (R), Judith Pritchett (D), Tiffany Tilley (D), Charles Essner (Libertarian), William Mohr II (U.S. Taxpayers), Christine C. Schwartz (U.S. Taxpayers), Wissam Charafeddine (Green), Mary Anne Hering (Working Class)
• Justice of the Supreme Court (2 positions open, 8-year term): Megan Cavanagh (incumbent), Noah Hood (incumbent), Thomas W. Howe, Casandra Morse-Bills, Michael Warren, Jody White
• Regent of the University of Michigan (8-year term, 2 positions): Lena Epstein (R), Michael Schostak (R), Paul Brown (D), Amir Makled (D), Andrew Chadderdon (Libertarian), Kyle Maas (U.S. Taxpayers)
• Trustee of Michigan State University (8-year term, 2 positions): Julie Maday (R), Roger Victory (R), Brianna Scott (D), Kelly Tebay Zemke (D), Daniel R. Patterson (Libertarian), Will Tyler White (Libertarian), Janet Sanger (U.S. Taxpayers), John Sanger (U.S. Taxpayers), John Anthony La Pietra (Green), Yaz Ozbek (Working Class)
• Governor of Wayne State University (8-year term, 2 positions): Andy Anuzis (R), Christa Murphy (R), Shereef Akeel (D), Richard Mack (D), Alex Avery (Libertarian), Jami Van Alstine (Libertarian), Paul M. Ragan (Green), Suzanne Roehrig (Working Class)

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Who are the countywide candidates?

County Executive

• Warren C. Evans (D)
• Michael A. Evans (R)
• John Olumba (No party affiliation)

County Commissioner – District 5 (partial term ending Jan. 1, 2028)

• Angelique Peterson-Mayberry (D)
• No candidate filed

3rd Circuit Court – Incumbent (there are 16 incumbent candidates running for 16 positions in this race that have 6-year-terms)

• David J. Allen
• Chandra W. Baker-Robinson
• Christopher M. Blount
• Nicole L. Castka
• Bradley L. Cobb
• Chris Dingell
• Charlene M. Elder
• Helal A. Farhat
• Nicole N. Goodson
• Edward J. Joseph
• Mary Beth Kelly
• Don Knapp
• Cylenthia LaToye Miller
• Carla G. Testani
• Margaret M. Van Houten
• Shannon Nicol Walker

3rd Circuit Court – Non-incumbent – 6-year term (1 position)

• Shakira Lynn Hawkins

3rd Circuit Court – Incumbent partial term ending 01/01/2031 (1 position)

• Aliyah S. Sabree

Probate court – Non-incumbent – 6-year term (3 positions)

• Sarah Colegrove
• Suzanne Fanning
• Vanessa M. Moss

36th District Court

• Incumbent – 6-year term (6 positions)
  • Demetria Brue
  • E. Lynise Bryant
  • Adrienne Hinnant-Johnson
  • Shannon A. Holmes
  • Kenneth J. King
  • Millicent D. Sherman
• Non-incumbent – 6-year term (3 positions)
  • WIlliam Burton, Jr.
  • Delphia J. Burton
  • Jo A. Irby
• Incumbent – partial term ending 01/01/2031 (3 positions)
  • Ponce D. Clay
  • Herman Griffin IV
  • Chastity A. Youngblood

Note: Here’s why there are separate races for incumbents and non-incumbents running for judge seats.

Wayne County Community College District

• District 2 trustee
  • Asm Kamal Rahman
• District 8 trustee
  • Susan C. Steeby
• District 9 trustee
  • Sharon P. Scott

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Who are the citywide candidates?

Congressional Districts (U.S. House)

• 12th District: Covers Western Detroit, along with areas like Dearborn, Redford, and Southfield.
  • Rashida Tlaib (D) 
  • James D. Hooper R) 

Read more on the race from the Arab American News.

• 13th District: Covers Eastern Detroit, along with suburbs like Hamtramck and the Grosse Pointes.
  • Donavan McKinney (D)
  • T.P. Nykoriak (R)

Read more on the race here. 

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State Senate district seats 

• District 1
  • Justin Onwenu (D)
  • Patrick O’Connell (R)
• District 2
  • Abbas Alawieh (D)
  • Harry Sawicki (R)
  • Larry Darnell Betts (Working class)
• District 3
  • John Conyers III (D) 
  • Mark Ashley Price (R)
  • David Roehrig (Working class)
• District 6
  • Mary Cavanagh (D)
  • Joi Pokerwinski (R)
• District 7
  • Jason Hoskins (D)
  • Anthony R. Paesano (R)
• District 8
  • Dayna Polehanki (D)
  • Kenneth Massey (R) 
• District 10
  • Natalie Price (D)
  • Michelle Nard (R)
• District 11
  • Veronica Klinefelt (D)
  • Johnnie S. Townsend (R)
• District 12
  • Kevin Hertel (D)
  • John Goldwater (R)

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State House district seats

• District 1
  • Tyrone Carter (D)
  • Valerie Whittaker (R)
• District 4
  • Regina Ross (D)
  • Everett Davis (R)
• District 5
  • Candace Calloway (D)
  • Chris Venable (R)
• District 7
  • Tonya Myers Phillips (D)
  • Reginald Moorer (R)
• District 8
  • Chris Gilmer-Hill (D) 
  • Bruce P. Langran (R)
  • Stephen Boyle (Green)
• District 9
  • Willie Burton (D) 
  • Michele Lundgren (R)
  • Jahdante John Smith (Green)
  • Logan Ausherman (Working Class)
• District 11
  • Kimberly Fisher (D)
  • Matthew Stafford (R)
• District 16
  • Stephanie A. Young (D)
  • Brian M. Duggan (R)
• District 17
  • Laurie Pohutsky (D)
  • Ken Crider (R)

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Detroit Board of Education

There are 31 candidates running for four seats with 4-year terms on the board. Another three are seeking one seat with a partial term that will end in 2028: Ijazz Jackson, Aliya Moore, and Shawn Vaughn.

Only two in the running are incumbents: Steve Bland Jr. and Bessie Harris. Both were appointed to the board last year and are newcomers to governing the district. Many of the candidates are vocal critics of the district’s current leadership, with some calling for Superintendent Nikolai Vitti’s removal. He has been in Detroit nine years.

• Theresa Arleen Williams

No video available

• La’Vonne Bien-Aime

No video available

• Steve Bland, Jr.

• Michelle Rene’ Broughton

• Katrina Lanise Brown

• Cidney Julia-Angela Calloway

• Bobby Lee Christian

No video available

• Nicole Marie Conaway

• Vilma Vateria Escamilla-Duran

• Daniel Franklin Ferguson, III

No video available

• Duane Larry Grisby, Jr.

• Bessie Lee Harris

• David Dwayne Harris, II

• Henrietta Ivey

No video available. Ivey is currently on the Board of Police Commissioners and told BridgeDetroit that she will not give up the seat. Her name is on the ballot but she is not actively campaigning.

• Christopher Allen Hubbard

• Tabrian Chas Joe

• Shinese DeCarol Johnson

No video available

• Theodore Rhett Jones

• Georgia Mae Lemmons

• LaMar Demetri Lemmons

• Clement Ogden Lett

No video available

• Phillip E. Lloyd, II

• Darious Lamar Morris

No video available. Morris is currently on the Board of Police Commissioners and told BridgeDetroit that he will not give up the seat. His name is on the ballot, but he is not actively campaigning.

• Liana Stern Mulholland

• Tyshea Elaine Pope

• Danetta Lynese Simpson

• Tawanna Simpson

• Jameel Montgomery Smith

• Calesther J. Smith-Arnold

No video available

• Iris Alice Taylor (Dr. Taylor died July 30, 2026)

No video available

• Terry Eugene Whitfield

• Elizabeth Ann Williams

Candidates running for the partial term (1 seat)

• Ijazz Johnnay Jackson

No video available

• Aliya Rebekah Moore

• Shandria Alise Vaughn

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What are the ballot issues Detroiters can vote on?

• Detroit museum millage

After years of financial hardship and stalled efforts, two longstanding Detroit cultural institutions are uniting to ask voters in Wayne and Oakland counties to support a joint operating millage in the Nov. 3 election. 

The Detroit Historical Society and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History on Tuesday launched the “Yes to Our Story” campaign, a proposal seeking a 10-year, 0.2 mill levy in Wayne and Oakland counties. The tax would amount to $30 per year for the owner of a home with an average value of $300,000,  Historical Society President and CEO Elana Rugh and Wright Museum President and CEO Neil Barclay said at a news conference. 

In return, residents of both counties would receive free admission to the Wright Museum and the Historical Society, which operates the Detroit Historical Museum in Midtown and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle. Currently, only small children and museum members receive free admission. 

Additionally, the millage would cover free transportation for students and seniors, new curriculum and training for teachers and the publicly-owned collections for both museums would be permanently protected. Specific details on who would provide transportation are still being discussed, Rugh and Barclay said. 

• Proposal 2: Money out of politics

Prohibits certain organizations and individuals — such as regulated electric and gas utilities, contractors with over $250,000 annually in government contracts, and people and organizations with substantial connections to those utilities or contractors — from making direct or indirect contributions to those who run for office, and also provide further regulations for campaign finance laws and spending on political communications

The language on the ballot will read:

A proposed initiated law to prohibit campaign contributions from certain regulated utilities and government contractors and apply campaign finance laws and regulations to additional types of political communications.

The proposal would:

• Prohibit regulated electric and gas utilities, contractors with over $250,000 annually in government contracts, and people and organizations with substantial connections to these utilities/contractors from making direct or indirect campaign contributions to those who run for or hold offices that impact them.
• Expand laws regulating spending on political communications, including those requiring disclosing donor information, to apply to communications clearly identifying candidates or ballot questions, even if they do not expressly advocate voting for/against them.
• Expressly apply the law requiring disclosure of who paid for political communications to internet political communications.

Should this proposal be adopted?

A yes vote is one in favor of making the proposal law in Michigan — no governor signature required. It would be more difficult to overturn than a typical law, requiring three-quarters of each chamber to vote to amend or overturn it.

The committee pushing MMOP has raised more than $7.3 million, according to campaign finance filings. Its largest donors included progressive groups such as the Massachusetts-based All Hands on Deck Network (which donated more than $3 million) and the Washington, D.C.-based Sixteen Thirty Fund (which donated $700,000).

A no vote is one against putting the proposal into state law.

MMOP is opposed by a group called Protect MI Free Speech, which has raised more than $570,000, largely from business groups. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Comcast Financial Agency Corp., CMS Energy (best known by its subsidiary, Consumers Energy), and a number of other prominent business groups all gave at least $65,000 to oppose MMOP. Michigan Energy First, a group heavily linked to DTE Energy, also gave $50,000, according to campaign finance filings.

• Proposal 1: Constitutional Convention

Michiganders will also vote on whether Michigan should hold a constitutional convention — colloquially known as a “con-con” — to revise the state’s fundamental governing document. This question is required to be on the ballot every 16 years.

The language on the ballot will read:

A proposal to convene a constitutional convention for the purpose of drafting a general revision of the state constitution. Shall a convention of elected delegates be convened in 2027 to draft a general revision of the state constitution for presentation to the state’s voters for their approval or rejection?

Voters will get to choose yes or no.

A yes vote is one in favor of starting the process of rewriting the state’s constitution. The entire document would be rewritten over a period of months (or longer) by representatives chosen by voters across the state.

Even if voters approve a convention, that is not a guarantee the constitution would change. The final document would go before voters when it is completed for another yes-or-no vote. Only if it is approved would it replace the current constitution.

No official campaigns have filed paperwork with the state in support of a constitutional convention. That said, a number of prominent Republican legislators have suggested their support for it.

A no vote is one in favor of leaving the state’s constitution as written.

There is money and lobbying power behind an effort to encourage voters to vote no on the convention. The group Protect MI Constitution From Special Interests, made up of a multitude of business groups, voting rights groups, and more, has raised more than $860,000 to oppose the convention effort, according to state campaign finance reports.

A number of candidates running for office this fall from both major parties also are against a convention.

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How to vote in Michigan’s General election

Check your registration

First, verify if you are already registered by putting your information into https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index and it will tell you. 

You need the following qualifications to vote:

1. Be a U.S. citizen
2. Be at least 17.5 years old and turn 18 before Election Day
3. Have lived in Detroit for at least 30 days

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Registering to vote

Are you ready to register to vote? What you need to do depends on how close to the election it is. 

If you aren’t already registered and it’s more than 14 days before the election, you have three options:

• You can register to vote at the Detroit City Clerk’s office (2 Woodward Ave. #200 Detroit, MI 48226) or the Department of Elections (2978 W. Grand Blvd. Detroit, MI 48226) Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You need to prove that you live at your address, so you must bring a printed record of one of the following:
  • Your Michigan driver’s license or state ID card
  • A utility bill, bank statement, pay check, government check or any other government document with your name and Detroit address on it. 
• You can register to vote online if you have a valid Michigan driver’s license or state ID here. If you don’t have one of those, you need to register in person at the City Clerk’s office.
  • Oct. 19 is the last day you can register to vote online for the Nov. 3, 2026 General election.
• You can mail a completed voter registration application to the Detroit City Clerk (even if you don’t have a Michigan driver’s license, state ID, or Social Security number). Your application must be postmarked 14 days before Election Day or sooner. Download a voter registration application here. Fill out your application; put your completed application in an envelope addressed to Detroit City Clerk, 2 Woodward Ave. #200, Detroit, MI 48226; stamp your envelope and put it in the mail.
  • Your registration application must be postmarked on or before Oct. 19 for the Nov. 3, 2026 General election.

If it is 14 days or fewer before the election, you must register to vote in person at a Detroit Early Vote Center or the Detroit City Clerk’s office.

• Starting on Oct. 20, you’ll need to register in person with the Detroit City Clerk’s office with proof of residency for the Nov. 3, 2026 General election.

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Early voting 

Want to vote before Election Day? You can vote in person at the Detroit City Clerk’s office or at an Early Voting Site starting nine days before Election Day.

• You can vote using an absentee ballot at the Detroit City Clerk’s office located at 2 Woodward Ave. #200, Detroit, MI 48226 starting 40 days before Election Day until 4 p.m. the Monday before Election Day.
  • For the Nov. 3, 2026 General Election, you can vote early in person with an absentee ballot at the Detroit City Clerk’s office starting on Sept. 24. If you are registered to vote at your current address, you can vote at the Clerk’s office until Nov. 2 at 4 p.m.
• You can vote in person at a Detroit Early Voting Site. When you vote at an Early Voting Site, your voting experience will be similar to that of voting at a polling place on Election Day. You will complete your ballot, place it in a secrecy sleeve and then deposit it into the voting tabulator.

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Vote early from home

Prefer to vote from home? Get your absentee ballot as soon as possible. Make sure you select the option to sign up for the “permanent mail ballot list” to receive an absentee ballot in the mail before every election. Request your ballot online here.

Call the Detroit City Clerk’s office at 313-224-3270 and request an application for a ballot be mailed to you. Once you receive your application, mail it to the Detroit City Clerk’s office.

Download a ballot application form here and mail it to the Detroit City Clerk’s office: Detroit City Clerk, 2 Woodward Ave. #200, Detroit, MI 48226

Detroit Votes recommends you request your absentee ballot for the Nov. 3, 2026 General election by Oct. 13.

You can check to see if the Detroit City Clerk’s office has received your application and if your ballot has been mailed to you by filling out this online form.

Once you receive your absentee ballot, you need to:

1. Fill out your ballot
2. Place your ballot in the provided envelope
3. Sign the outside of the envelope with your official signature that matches your voter registration

Your ballot must be received by the Detroit City Clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Detroit Votes recommends getting your ballot in the mail at least 2 weeks before Election Day. For the Nov. 3, 2026 General election, thatmeans mailing it by Oct. 20.

Alternatively, you could drop your ballot off at the Detroit City Clerk’s office, at an Early Voting Site, or in a secure drop box. You can also have an immediate family member or someone who lives with you drop your ballot off at the Detroit City Clerk’s office.

Call the Detroit City Clerk at 313-224-3270 before 5 p.m. on the last Friday before Election Day to request that your ballot be picked up.

You can track the status of your absentee ballot here.

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Voting on Election Day

If you are registered to vote, you must vote at your assigned polling place. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you are in line by 8 p.m. at your polling place, you will be able to vote.

You can find your polling place online at the Michigan Voter Information Center or by calling the Detroit City Clerk at (313) 224-3270.

Your polling place will likely be near the address you registered to vote with. But it may have changed from last year, so verify before you show up to the polling place. 

If you are not registered to vote, you can also register to vote on Election Day and vote at the same time, but you will have to go to the right location. 

This option is only available at the Detroit City Clerk’s office (2 Woodward Ave. #200, Detroit, MI 48226) or the Department of Elections (2978 W. Grand Blvd. Detroit, MI 48226). Make sure you bring one type (paper or electronic copy) of “proof of residency” with you. These include: 

• Your Michigan driver’s license or state ID cards.
• A utility bill, bank statement, pay check, government check or any other government document with your name and Detroit address on it. 

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A note about photo ID

You do not need a photo ID to register to vote. If you register to vote in person, you will be asked to show your photo ID. If you don’t have your ID, you can sign a form provided by a poll worker and then complete your voter registration. Bring “proof of residency” with you if you are registering to vote within 14 days of Election Day.

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Combatting misinformation

If you encounter what you believe to be misinformation, you can report it to the state by emailing misinformation@michigan.gov. Read more about how to be an informed voter and detect misinformation.

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Accessibility in voting

Q. How do I apply for an accessible absentee ballot?

A. Voters with print disabilities may apply for an accessible electronic absent voter ballot that can be completed electronically, printed, and returned to the local clerk. To apply online for an accessible electronic absent voter ballot, click here. Voters may also sign up for the permanent accessible ballot list while submitting their request. Voters whose names are on the permanent accessible absent ballot list will automatically receive an accessible absentee ballot from their local clerk in each future election for which they are eligible.

Q. How do I vote in person with an accessible voting machine?

A. All voters, including voters with disabilities, have access to a Voter Assist Terminal in all polling places. The Voter Assist Terminal helps the voter mark a ballot. It will mark the ballot with the voter’s choices but does not tally the votes. Once the ballot is marked, it is counted in exactly the same fashion as all other ballots.

Q. What equipment will I use?

A. Wayne County uses Liberty Vote. Click here to learn more about the system.

Q. What to expect outside the polling place

A. You have the right to an accessible polling place and an accessible voting machine. During the early voting period or on Election Day, you can send someone into the polling place to request curbside voting on your behalf. The election inspectors will bring a ballot outside so you can vote. Election officials must consider accessibility outside the polling place. You should expect:

• Unblocked doorways
• Alternatives to stairs such as ramps or elevators

Q. What to expect inside the polling place

A. You have the right to vote independently using an accessible voting machine. If you would like to use an accessible voting machine, tell an election official when you arrive to vote.

You have the right to assistance from the election officials. You can ask the election officials for instructions on how to use the voting equipment or assistance at any time, even after you’ve entered the voting booth.

If you are blind, disabled, or unable to read or write, you have the right to assistance from anyone you choose. However, the person cannot be:

• Your employer
• An agent of your employer
• An officer or agent of your labor union

Election officials must consider accessibility inside the polling place. You should find:

• Adequate lighting and seating
• At least 1 voting station that can accommodate a person who is seated
• Access to a Voter Assist Terminal

Language access

If you do not read or write English and a ballot is not available in your language, you have the right to assistance from anyone you choose. However, the person cannot be:

• Your employer
• An agent of your employer
• An officer or agent of your labor union

More from Bridge Michigan

Voter guide

• FAQ Squad – Absentee Ballots
• FAQ Squad – Perry Johnson
• FAQ Squad – State of the State
• Watch: Legislative gridlock
• Watch: Youth mental health outsourcing
• Watch: Health care election impacts
• Watch: Medical debt, health care costs

Polls

• Governor race (open)
• US Senate race (open)
• 4th US House District, (West Michigan, incumbent Bill Huizenga)
• 7th US House District, (mid-Michigan, incumbent Tom Barrett)
• 10th US House District, (mostly Macomb, vacated by John James)