Skip to content
Democracy SENTRY
Voting in your state
UpdateMichiganFriday, November 6, 2026

Michigan elected several historic firsts in 2026 midterm

Michigan voters elected the state's first Muslim U.S. Senator, first openly gay member of Congress, and first all-female governor and lieutenant governor ticket, among other firsts.

By the Democracy SENTRY deskPublished

Reporting by
Michigan Public
“All the ways Michigan made history in the 2026 midterm election”, Friday, November 6, 2026
Read the full story
What happened

Michigan voters elected Abdul El-Sayed as the first Muslim U.S. Senator from Michigan. Voters also elected Jeremy Moss as the first openly gay member of Congress from the state, Sean McCann as the first tribal member of Congress from Michigan, and Joanna Whaley as the first openly transgender woman legislator. Jocelyn Benson and Winnie Brinks were elected as the first all-female governor and lieutenant governor ticket in Michigan.1

Democrats gained control of the governor, attorney general and secretary of state seats and majorities in both chambers of the legislature, making Michigan one of five states to gain a Democratic trifecta.1

What it means in Michigan

What happens next in Michigan

The bipartisan board of county canvassers, two members from each major party, canvasses the precinct returns, prepares a statement of the vote and reports it to the Secretary of State.2 County boards of canvassers must finish the canvass by November 17, 2026, the 14th day after the election, and certify immediately thereafter.3 The Board of State Canvassers must complete the canvass and certify the results by November 23, 2026, the 20th day after the election.3

Key dates in Michigan

Election Day in -7 days
  1. Sat, Oct 24 · passed
    Early voting begins
  2. Sun, Nov 1 · passed
    Early voting ends
  3. Mon, Nov 2 · passed
    Last day for mail ballot applications
  4. Tue, Nov 3 · passed
    Election Day; Registration deadline; Mail ballots must arrive
  5. Mon, Nov 23 · 13 days
    State certification

Every date in Michigan, and who certifies the election

More on this story
Michigan · Nov 9
Tie vote leaves Michigan village council seat unresolved
Reporting by MLive.com
Michigan · Nov 9
Michigan midterm election ran smoothly on November 5, 2026
Reporting by Michigan Public
The answers behind this
How votes are counted and made officialVoting in Michigan, 2026Who certifies the election in Michigan, and by when?How does an election for Congress get certified, and when is the winner official?

Explore this issue

OverviewUpdates In depthAlabama counties begin counting provisional ballots Nov. 10 In depthAbsentee ballots narrow leads in three Putnam County races In depthICE arrested 5 immigrants near Arizona polling sites on Election Day In depthFederal judge blocks DOJ from pressuring Washington election officials In depthDubuque County schedules canvass meeting for November 10 In depthConstantino claims victory in New York's 21st District with 95% counted In depthFlorida candidate says votes were removed without explanation after data error In depthFlorida counted 8.3 million ballots, with certification ahead In depthMcGuire claims victory in Virginia's 5th District as Perriello says votes remain In depthHead of DOJ Civil Rights Division resigns after midterm defeats In depthVirginia Attorney General issued statement on 2026 election results In depthArizona Secretary of State spoke at Capitol after midterm election

Sources

  1. Michigan Public, https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiwwFBVV95cUxOSjRoazd1Uzk3SmdwZmszZ3FId0tHUXktSjZ4ODNSUmZxSy1udnlTOU5Dd01JWXV6X1FOSkJYZ05GLWVKU181cU9vS08zWHdzOFF6cGh5dWtZQzFablY3eVZIYU1mUjRVUnVyMGhNZmVrRUhvMHhTeVZqUmEyOTNINGYxcmRVRXZwRGxhTkxWMUR3YkZFYW50VDZMOHU3ZDBkZnNlck54bWJyT1FFV0wxdU5TYlhhRHR1WVJ5NVJ2M0dReGM?oc=5 · Friday, November 6, 2026
  2. Bolts, Who counts our elections, https://boltsmag.org/whats-on-the-ballot/who-counts-our-elections/
  3. NCSL, Election Certification Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/election-certification-deadlines

Ask

Have a question about voting in Michigan?

Ask it here. If we do not have the answer yet, we will find it.