Michigan Voters Pick Governor, Senate in 2026 Midterms
Voters are choosing U.S. House, U.S. Senate, and state seats in November as Democrats seek to keep their state Senate majority and restore a trifecta.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Do you want Democrats to keep control of the Michigan state Senate?
Michigan voters are casting ballots in the November 2026 midterm election for U.S. House, U.S. Senate, and state legislative seats. Democrats hope to retain their two-seat Michigan Senate majority and restore full control of state government.
Why it matters
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has reached her term limit, so the state will elect a new governor and a government that may look quite different from the past eight years. The outcome will determine whether Democrats regain a state government trifecta after the state House flipped to Republican control two years ago.
Democrats hold a 20-18 majority in the Michigan Senate, while Republicans won more than 55 of the 110 House seats in 2024. Control of the Senate, House and governor's office remains undecided until the November 3 vote is counted.
The players
Gretchen Whitmer
Michigan's Democratic governor who has reached her term limit, leaving the office open.
Winnie Brinks
Michigan Senate Majority Leader and Democrat who is running for lieutenant governor.
Jocelyn Benson
Michigan Secretary of State and Democratic candidate for governor.
Chedrick Greene
Democrat who won the May 2026 special election in the 35th District.
The details
Voters are selecting representatives for U.S. House, U.S. Senate, and state seats in the November midterm. Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks is running for lieutenant governor alongside Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson's gubernatorial bid, leaving her 29th District seat open.
Timeline
2022: Democrats formed their first trifecta in decades
2024: Republicans gained more than 55 House seats
May 2026: Chedrick Greene won a special election in the 35th District
November 3, 2026: Midterm election for all seats, including the full four-year term in the 35th District
Political Context
Republicans now control the Michigan House after gaining more than 55 of 110 seats in 2024, ending the Democratic trifecta Michigan Democrats formed in 2022. Restoring that trifecta would require Democrats to hold the Senate and win the governor's office in November.
The outcome will determine which party sets state tax, budget, and regulatory policy for the next legislative session. Voters should check their polling locations and registration status before November 3.
The takeaway
Michigan's November vote will decide whether Democrats keep the Senate, regain the House, and win the governor's race to restore a trifecta. Voters can track the results once polls close on November 3.
What happens next
Election results for the governor's race, the open 29th District Senate seat, and the 35th District full-term seat are expected after polls close on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
For broader context on how the state's governing majorities are shaping the race, see Elections coverage.
Live Poll
Do you want Democrats to keep control of the Michigan state Senate?
