The Ballot Brief
2026 Primary Elections

Michigan Primary Election 2026

Michigan's 2026 primary was held on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. The winners advance to the general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Primary electionTuesday, August 4, 2026
General electionTuesday, November 3, 2026

See exactly who is on your ballot — ZIP code is all you need

Marquee races on the Michigan primary ballot

Michigan's August 4 primary sets up two of the biggest open-seat races in the country.

Governor (open seat)
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited.
Democratic: Jocelyn Benson, Chris Swanson
Republican: John James, Mike Cox, Perry Johnson
U.S. Senate (open seat)
Sen. Gary Peters is retiring.
Democratic: Haley Stevens, Abdul El-Sayed
Republican: Mike Rogers

Candidate fields reflect declared major candidates as of this page's last update and can change until ballots are certified. Enter your ZIP above for the full, address-specific list.

What's on the Michigan primary ballot?

Primaries decide which candidates appear on the November ballot. Depending on where you live in Michigan, your 2026 primary ballot can include U.S. Senate and U.S. House nominations, statewide offices, state legislative seats, and county or city contests. Enter your ZIP code above to see the exact races and candidates for your area — with bios, priorities, and campaign-finance data.

Key things to know

Browse the full Michigan voter guide →

Primary dates are statutory dates compiled by the National Conference of State Legislatures and can change by legislative action. Always confirm with your state or local election office.