Early in-person voting peaked Sunday with 114,420 ballots cast. As Michigan voters prepare for Tuesday’s election, decisions about manufacturing jobs, income taxes, electricity bills and health insurance could influence the state’s economic future.
LANSING — More than 2.3 million Michigan voters have already cast ballots ahead of Tuesday’s midterm elections, representing 31.2% of active registered voters, according to the Michigan Department of State Voting Dashboard.
The dashboard showed 2,313,165 ballots recorded Monday morning, including 1,569,715 returned absentee ballots and 743,450 early in-person votes. Michigan had 7,420,172 active registered voters.
The figures reflect voting-history records entered by local election officials, rather than certified election results.
Voters will select a new governor, a U.S. senator and all 148 members of the Michigan Legislature. The outcomes could influence state taxes, manufacturing investment, utility regulation and federal health care policies.
WHAT TUESDAY’S ELECTION COULD MEAN FOR YOUR WALLET
- Manufacturing jobs: Trade policy, automotive investment and workforce development could affect Michigan employers and workers.
- Income taxes: Republican gubernatorial nominee John James has proposed phasing out Michigan’s individual income tax, raising questions about state revenue and spending.
- Electricity bills: Energy policy and utility regulation could influence household and business costs.
- Health insurance: Federal decisions on insurance subsidies, Medicare and Medicaid could affect families and employers.
- Business costs: Infrastructure spending, economic development programs and regulatory decisions could influence Michigan’s business climate.
Early Voting Peaks Sunday
Michigan’s final mandatory weekend of early in-person voting brought the highest daily total recorded on the state’s dashboard.
On Sunday, November 1, 114,420 residents voted early in person.
Date Early in-person ballots Friday, October 30 98,979 Saturday, October 31 93,893 Sunday, November 1 114,420 Three-day total 307,292
Those three days accounted for approximately 41.3% of all early in-person ballots recorded statewide.
The total number of ballots recorded before Election Day increased by 920,995 between October 27 and November 2.
The figures indicate substantial pre-election participation, but they do not establish which political party or candidates are benefiting.
Some Michigan communities may offer additional early-voting hours Monday.
How Does Turnout Compare With 2022?
Michigan’s voting system has changed since the last midterm election.
The 2026 election is the first statewide midterm general election in which every Michigan voter has access to at least nine days of early in-person voting, following a constitutional amendment approved in 2022.
The Department of State reported October 27 that 1,176,375 absentee ballots had been returned, compared with 1,126,246 at the equivalent point before the 2022 election.
That represents an increase of approximately 4.5%.
However, comparing 2026’s combined absentee and early in-person ballots with 2022 absentee voting alone would be misleading.
A full turnout comparison must wait until Election Day voting is completed.
County Voting Patterns Could Influence Statewide Results
Michigan’s major population centers will contribute substantial numbers of votes.
Wayne County, including Detroit, has historically provided large Democratic vote totals. Oakland and Washtenaw counties also supported Democratic candidates in recent statewide elections.
Macomb County has supported Republican presidential candidates in recent elections, while Kent and Saginaw counties have experienced competitive contests.
However, historical voting patterns do not reveal how residents voted in 2026.
Complete November 2 county-by-county turnout comparisons were not independently verified for this report.
Governor’s Race: Taxes, Energy And Jobs
Michigan voters will choose a successor to term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
The major-party candidates, Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Republican U.S. Rep. John James, have outlined different approaches to economic policy.
James has proposed phasing out Michigan’s individual income tax. Implementing such a proposal would require legislative action and decisions about replacing revenue or reducing spending.
Benson has emphasized reducing household costs and addressing energy affordability.
During October debates, Benson said she was open to suspending Michigan’s gasoline tax, after previously opposing a state gas-tax holiday and supporting federal action instead.
James has also supported suspending or repealing gasoline taxes.
The candidates have addressed the development of large data centers, which raise questions about electricity demand, infrastructure investment and costs for existing utility customers.
The Michigan Public Service Commission regulates investor-owned utility rates. The next governor could influence the commission through appointments and energy policy, but could not unilaterally determine electricity rates.
U.S. Senate Race: Health Care, Trade And Manufacturing
Michigan voters will also choose a successor to retiring Democratic U.S. Sen. Gary Peters.
The major-party candidates are Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers.
El-Sayed supports Medicare for All, which would substantially restructure American health insurance.
Rogers has emphasized health care price transparency as an approach to addressing medical expenses.
Both have discussed tariffs affecting manufacturing, although their broader economic approaches differ.
Those issues are especially relevant to Michigan’s automotive industry, which depends on international supply chains and federal trade policies.
The next senator could participate in decisions involving health insurance, taxation, tariffs and manufacturing investment, but major legislative changes would require congressional action.
What Michigan Voters Need To Know Tuesday
Michigan polling places open at 7 a.m. Tuesday, November 3, and close at 8 p.m. local time.
Voters already in line when polls close may still cast their ballots.
Eligible residents who have not registered can register in person at their local clerk’s office through 8 p.m. Tuesday with proof of residency.
For most voters, absentee ballots must reach election officials by 8 p.m. Election Day. Special rules apply to eligible military and overseas voters.
The Department of State recommends returning outstanding absentee ballots directly to a clerk’s office or authorized drop box rather than relying on postal delivery.
Voters can check their registration, locate polling places, review sample ballots and track absentee ballots through the Michigan Voter Information Center.
Economic Consequences Extend Beyond Election Day
For Michigan businesses, workers and households, Tuesday’s election will help determine who makes decisions about taxes, infrastructure, energy and economic development.
The results could also influence federal trade and health care policies.
But campaign proposals are not enacted laws. Their financial consequences will depend on legislative action, funding decisions and broader economic conditions.
Michigan voters will make their choices Tuesday. The economic impact will unfold over the coming years.
