2026 Michigan election Archives - Page 37 of 39

A woman sits behind a dais and looks off-camera at people speaking to her

Michigan panel OKs signature-gathering to ban political spending by ‘monopoly’ utilities

by Jordyn Hermani August 22, 2025January 12, 2026

State canvassers on Friday greenlit a petition effort to ban utility money in politics. A legal challenge may be coming for the effort.

Michigan State Rep. Rachelle Smit has her back turned from the camera.

Michigan Politics Watch

Michigan Republicans advance plan to ban ranked choice voting amid petition drive

by Hayley Harding, Votebeat August 19, 2025January 12, 2026

Michigan Republicans introduced a bill to ban the voting method, citing the potential burden on local clerks, while a campaign is underway to get it enshrined in the state constitution.

Matthew DePerno signs a document. A crowd is behind him.

Michigan Politics Watch

Matt DePerno runs for Michigan attorney general again despite felony charges

by Hayley Harding, Votebeat August 14, 2025January 12, 2026

DePerno lost in 2022 despite a Trump endorsement. He was charged in 2023 with tampering with a voting machine.

Michigan Politics Watch

Mike Duggan banks on partisan fatigue in independent bid for Michigan governor

by Associated Press August 7, 2025January 12, 2026

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s decision to run for governor of Michigan as an independent has infuriated his old party. The longtime Democrat says voters of both Republican and Democratic leanings are tired of partisan politics

Michigan Politics Watch

Michigan ballot initiative aims to reveal ‘dark money’ donors behind political ads

by Simon D. Schuster July 30, 2025January 12, 2026

Potential Michigan ballot proposal would require groups that run political ‘issue ads’ near an election to disclose their donors, a reform that transparency advocates have tried before — but failed.

Michigan Politics Watch

In Michigan first, independent Mike Duggan leads governor fundraising race

by Simon D. Schuster July 26, 2025March 3, 2026

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan reported $3.2 million in direct donations for his independent gubernatorial campaign, the most by any declared candidate. Democrat Jocelyn Benson and Republican John James report big numbers too.

Headshots of Jocelyn Benson, Mike Cox, Mike Duggan, Garlin Gilchrist, Anthony Hudson, John James, Tom Leonard, Aric Nesbitt and Chris Swanson.

Michigan Education Watch

Here’s how governor candidates say they’d fix Michigan education

by Isabel Lohman and Ron French July 22, 2025March 3, 2026

Tougher graduation requirements, more teacher training on literacy and more school choice are among the ideas candidates are pitching to improve Michigan K-12 education.

Michigan Education Watch

Improving Michigan education: Full responses from major gubernatorial candidates

by Bridge Staff July 21, 2025March 3, 2026

Bridge Michigan asked each major candidate for governor two questions: What are at least two things you believe are causes for poor academic performance in Michigan schools? How would you improve early literacy in Michigan that is different from what is now being done? Here are their full, unedited responses. List at least two things […]

Michigan Politics Watch

Michigan GOP moves against ranked choice voting as petition drive gears up

by Simon D. Schuster July 14, 2025January 12, 2026

A new plan from state House Republicans would ban ranked choice voting in Michigan – just as organizers launch a petition drive to try to adopt the method via a 2026 ballot proposal.