Bridge Michigan is listening. What issues matter most to you in 2026 election?

Bridge plans rigorous fact-based campaign coverage before the 2026 elections
Readers can help shape the coverage by letting us know their top concerns
We’ll use that feedback to press candidates for answers

It’s barely January, and the political rhetoric is already flying, even though the 2026 general election is nearly 300 days away.

Between now and Nov. 3, Michigan voters will hear a steady stream of promises from candidates for governor, US Senate, US House, the state Legislature and other offices.

Bridge Michigan is committed to covering those races with its signature brand of nonpartisan, fact-based reporting. We begin today, as we traditionally do in election years, with a fact guide that grounds the campaign season in a shared set of facts about the state of Michigan.

This year, we also want to be intentional about listening to you — and putting voters’ priorities at the center of our coverage.

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We’re launching a yearlong listening effort to identify what you believe are Michigan’s most important issues, and we’ll use that feedback to help shape our reporting.

This is not a scientific poll. It’s the start of a dialogue, beginning with this short survey.

Through March, we’ll collect responses to get a sense of the top issues in Michigan, then spend ensuing months exploring them in articles, newsletters, social media, reader events and online forums.

As the Aug. 4 primaries approach, you’ll help us refine the list, and we’ll press candidates to address the topics readers identify as most important before Bridge hosts an in-person convening about issues in October.

Stay tuned for those details, as well as other new features to boost what already promises to be rigorous coverage.

We’ll share what we learn along the way and explain how it informs our coverage, alongside the fact checks, accountability reporting, campaign finance investigations, daily news and resources you’ve come to expect from Bridge Michigan.

Thanks so much. We can’t wait to hear from you.