Politics & Elections
82 storiesThe editorial mix includes voter guides, candidate profiles, ballot explainers and results and process updates, with absentee voting and general elections shaping follow-up. Politics & Elections keeps the reader focused on the evidence, timeline and real-world consequence.
Four Candidates Seek Two Farmington School Board Seats
Cheryl Blau is among four candidates seeking two six-year seats on the Farmington Public Schools Board, which serves Farmington, Farmington Hills and part of West Bloomfield Township.
Michigan State Board of Education race could shift policy direction
Michigan voters will pick two members for the State Board of Education on November 3. The results could change the board's partisan split and shape public school policy for the next eight years.
Michigan third grade reading scores hit record low on state test
Sixty-two percent of Michigan third graders failed to meet grade-level reading standards on the latest M-STEP exam. The results raise urgent questions about state education policy and the future of student achievement.
Michigan House backs mandatory prison terms for child sexual crimes
The Michigan House has passed a bill that would force anyone convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a child to serve at least 15 years in prison. The plan also calls for tougher penalties for other sexual offenses and now heads to the Senate.
Michigan lawmakers weigh year-round E15 fuel sales
A bill in the Michigan House could open the door to E15 gasoline at pumps all year by dropping summer vapor pressure limits. If lawmakers approve it, drivers across the state may see new fuel options.
ACLU launches $2.3 million voter education push in Michigan races
The ACLU of Michigan and its Voter Education Fund are putting $2.3 million into informing voters about civil liberties at stake in Michigan House, Senate, and Supreme Court races ahead of November.
Michigan Proposal 2: Voters Weigh Campaign Money Limits Amid Daily Struggles
This November, Michigan voters face Proposal 2, a plan to curb political donations from utilities and big contractors. But with rising costs hitting families now, the real impact of the measure may not show for years.
Detroit News backs Bill Huizenga for Michigan's 4th District
The Detroit News has thrown its support behind Bill Huizenga for re-election in Michigan's 4th Congressional District, pointing to his work on environmental issues and his record in Congress.
Voters Push for Childcare and Equal Pay as Economic Solutions
A new national poll finds most voters now see childcare, elder care and equal pay as essential responses to rising living costs, with many demanding concrete policy action within two years.
Michigan Farm Bureau Presses Washington for Clear Support Amid Rising Imports and Policy Shifts
Michigan Farm Bureau President Ben LaCross is urging federal officials to take a clear stand for American farmers, citing policy confusion and growing imports as threats to Michigan agriculture and food security.
Abdul El-Sayed to Join Senate Forum in Northern Michigan
Abdul El-Sayed will take part in the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance's Agree to Disagree event on September 21, where he may appear alongside Republican Mike Rogers to discuss rural business policy and statewide issues.
Whitmer Moves to Revoke Line 5 Tunnel Permit in Michigan
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has directed state regulators to reconsider the Line 5 tunnel permit and called on Enbridge to prepare for decommissioning the pipeline, citing risks to Michigan's water, wildlife and economy
Michigan Governor and Senate Races Remain Close Eight Weeks Before Election
Recent polling shows Michigan's top statewide races for governor and U.S. Senate are still highly competitive with no clear frontrunner as the November election approaches. Voters will decide between John James, Jocelyn Benson, Mike Rogers and Abdul El-Sayed
Michigan Officials Push Back on Federal Election Data Order
Michigan leaders are raising concerns about a federal executive order that could give Washington new control over state voter data and absentee ballot procedures ahead of the next election
Early Voting Opens Statewide for Michigan General Election
Michigan voters can cast ballots early at designated locations from October 24 to November 1 for the 2026 general election, with no-excuse voting and accommodations for disabilities available across the state
Michigan Candidates Push for Limits on Flock License Plate Cameras
Michigan lawmakers and candidates are calling for statewide rules on Flock Safety license plate cameras as concerns mount over privacy, data sharing and the rapid spread of surveillance technology across local communities
Proof of Citizenship Voting Proposal Blocked from Michigan Ballot
A proposal to require proof of citizenship for voting in Michigan will not appear on the November ballot after both the US Supreme Court and Michigan Supreme Court denied emergency appeals from supporters seeking last-minute approval
Michigan Ballot Proposal Targets Utility and Contractor Political Donations
Michigan voters will decide in November whether to ban political donations from major utilities and large state contractors while requiring new donor disclosures for election ads. The measure would not restrict union or most out-of-state spending
Michigan Candidates Demand Limits on Flock License Plate Cameras
Automated license plate readers operated by Flock Safety have become a flashpoint in Michigan's 2026 elections, with candidates from both parties urging new rules on data use and retention as the technology spreads across the state
Benson Holds Fundraising Lead in Michigan Governor Race
Jocelyn Benson has built a significant cash advantage over John James in the Michigan governor's race, with new filings showing major donations from utility and health executives as both campaigns face questions about donor transparency and campaign finance rules
Michigan Ballot Proposal Targets Utility and Contractor Political Donations
Michigan voters will decide in November whether to ban political donations from major utilities and large state contractors while requiring new donor disclosures for election ads. The measure would not restrict union or most out-of-state spending
Proof of Citizenship Ballot Proposal Blocked for Michigan's November Election
A proposal to require proof of citizenship for all Michigan voters will not appear on the November ballot after both the U.S. and Michigan Supreme Courts denied emergency appeals, leaving only two statewide measures for voters this fall.
Missouri Supreme Court Halts New U.S. House Map, Orders Statewide Vote
Missouri's highest court has blocked the use of new congressional districts backed by President Donald Trump, requiring voters to decide their fate before they can take effect in the November general election.
Supreme Court Asked to Weigh Trump Mail Ballot Rule Before Midterms
With mail ballots set to go out in North Carolina, the Trump administration is urging the Supreme Court to allow new federal restrictions on mail voting, even as lower courts question the system's readiness and legality ahead of November's elections
Michigan Audit Finds Voter Rolls Largely Accurate Ahead of 2026 Election
A new audit shows Michigan's voter registration system is overwhelmingly accurate, with only a handful of noncitizens and deceased individuals found on the rolls as the state prepares for the 2026 midterm election.
Masculinity Debates Shape Michigan Senate Race Between El-Sayed and Rogers
Personal attacks over masculinity and high school football have taken center stage in Michigan's 2026 U.S. Senate race, as Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers trade barbs while voters weigh issues from health care to inflation.
Fact Check: Did John James Vote to Raise Health Costs in Michigan?
As Michigan's gubernatorial race heats up, claims about U.S. Rep. John James' voting record on healthcare costs have become a central issue, with both campaigns pointing to recent legislation and premium increases affecting hundreds of thousands of residents.
Poll Finds Data Centers Least Supported by U.S. Communities
A new national survey shows nearly half of Americans oppose new data centers in their neighborhoods, with concerns over energy, water use, and AI growth driving resistance. Support for other developments remains much higher.
Whistleblower Warns USPS Mail Ballot System May Reject Valid Votes
A new mail ballot system rushed by the U.S. Postal Service to comply with a Trump executive order could lead to widespread rejection of mail ballots, according to a whistleblower. The system is under court review ahead of the midterm elections.
JD Vance Rallies Michigan GOP, Criticizes El-Sayed in Senate Race
Vice President JD Vance visited Sterling Heights to support Michigan Republican candidates and challenge Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, as the state's high-profile Senate race intensifies ahead of the 2026 midterms
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