About a third of Michigan’s legislative districts are worth watching this November as the map for those districts has changed. While certain districts may be known to vote a certain way based on reputation, this year they are less stable. In 2021, after the last census, Michigan redrew its political boundaries. In the past, the Legislature determined changes to these boundaries. However, voters approved handing it over to an independent commission in 2018. Now, the maps are the first ones that the commission produced, and the lines have significantly changed. 

Based on certified state and federal election records, we have flagged 65 interesting contests on the November ballot: four statewide offices, seven of Michigan’s thirteen congressional districts, 13 of 38 state Senate districts, and 41 of the 110 state House districts. Michigan ballots are long, and the races that get the least attention are often the ones that impact daily life the most. The following offices will be on the ballot: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, one U.S. Senate seat, all 13 U.S. House districts, all 38 state Senators, all 110 State House districts, Education and University boards, Michigan Supreme Court and local races and ballot issues.

Worth doing before voting is finding out which districts you are actually in and reviewing the whole ballot prior to heading to the polls. The offices at the bottom of the ballot — boards, courts, local questions — are most often left blank. Visit the Michigan Voter Information Center, a public site run by the Secretary of State, where anyone can confirm their registration, see exactly which districts they live in, and view their own sample ballot. 

Noteworthy issues this fall include property taxes, government transparency and economic development. House Republicans have introduced a number of proposals to alter Michigan's property tax system. There are efforts to expand Michigan's Freedom of Information Act to the Legislature and governor's office. The state’s approach to business attraction, incentives and economic development has been debated throughout the term.

While the State House and Senate return to Lansing in September, the Nov. 3 election will quickly consume much of the political calendar. When the clock strikes midnight on Dec. 31, the 103rd Legislature ends and bills that have not been enacted do not carry over into 2027. Heading into an election, there are fewer legislative days available and concerns about how votes cast could become campaign material. After Election Day through the end of the year, known as “lame duck,” campaign pressures disappear and with the Dec. 31st deadline, issues that have been stalled for months can suddenly begin moving. Everyone in Lansing will know who controls state government beginning in January. That can dramatically alter the incentive to negotiate. If one party expects to have greater leverage in the new Legislature, it may prefer to wait. If lawmakers believe their leverage will diminish, they may be more likely to reach an agreement before Dec. 31.

For full details on the upcoming Nov. 3 election, please click here for the September 2026 Karoub Report.