Michigan Voters to Decide Key Legislative Races
Southwest Michigan voters head to the polls Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to decide state legislative, congressional, and local races.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Elections
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Voters in Southwest Michigan will cast in-person ballots on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for candidates seeking seats in Congress and state legislative districts. Local contests include a judicial race in Berrien County and a recall of Baroda Township Clerk Christina Price.
Why it matters
The races on the ballot determine representation in the Michigan House and Senate for the 38th, 17th, 20th, 37th, and 39th districts. The Baroda Township votes, including whether to disincorporate the village of Baroda, would directly change local government structure for residents there.
Incumbent Democrat Joey Andrews faces Republican Mark Krieger and Green Party candidate Jett Newton in the 38th House District, while the 20th Senate District seat, held by term-limited Senator Aric Nesbitt, is contested by Democrat Dale Murney, Republican Chris Moraitis, and Green Party candidate Shamara Clay. Final results will determine which candidates take office, and the outcomes of the Baroda Township votes remain unknown until ballots are counted.
The players
Joey Andrews
Joey Andrews is the incumbent Democrat seeking reelection in the 38th Michigan House District.
Jonathan Lindsey
Jonathan Lindsey is the incumbent Republican running for the 17th Michigan Senate District.
Aric Nesbitt
Aric Nesbitt is a term-limited Michigan state senator whose 20th Senate District seat is up for grabs in this election.
Brad Paquette
Brad Paquette is the incumbent Republican state representative for the 37th House District facing a Democratic challenge.
Pauline Wendzel
Pauline Wendzel is the Republican state representative seeking reelection in the 39th Michigan House District.
The details
Voters cast ballots in person on Tuesday for candidates in congressional and state legislative races across Southwest Michigan. In Berrien County, Jennifer Fields and Myrene Koch are competing for the 5th District Court judgeship, and Baroda Township voters are weighing both a recall of Clerk Christina Price and a proposal to disincorporate the village of Baroda.
Timeline
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Voters cast in-person ballots for state, local, and congressional races in Southwest Michigan.
Political Context
The open 20th Senate District seat exists because Michigan's term-limit rules bar incumbent Aric Nesbitt from running again, forcing a three-way contest among Democrat Dale Murney, Republican Chris Moraitis, and Green Party candidate Shamara Clay. Races like this one, where an incumbent is replaced by term limits, often shift the composition of the chamber more than contests where an incumbent seeks reelection.
Voters in the 38th, 17th, 20th, 37th, and 39th districts will decide who represents them in Lansing on Tuesday. Residents of Baroda Township will also determine whether the village remains incorporated and whether Clerk Christina Price stays in office.
The takeaway
Check your polling location and sample ballot before Tuesday, November 3, 2026, since the races in several districts and the Baroda Township votes will be decided by these ballots.
Further reading
For more on the candidates and contests shaping the state, see Elections coverage across Michigan.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 99.9 Y Country.
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