Michigan Primary Election 2026

The Michigan primary is Tuesday, August 4, 2026. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. Michigan offers same-day voter registration at your city or township clerk's office.

Race data updated daily until Election Day, November 3, 2026. Last updated: September 10, 2026.

What's at stake

Michigan hosts two of the biggest primaries of 2026: an open US Senate seat (Gary Peters retiring) rated a general-election Toss-up, and an open governorship (Gretchen Whitmer term-limited) rated Lean D.

Key races and candidates

US Senate (Democratic primary)

Open seat, Peters retiring. Mallory McMorrow dropped out July 6, leaving a two-way race. El-Sayed won despite $60M+ in outside spending against him.

Haley Stevens (D)Congresswoman, endorsed by Sen. Peters and Gov. Whitmer; defeated by El-Sayed
Abdul El-Sayed (D)Progressive public health advocate; won Democratic primary despite heavy outside spending against him
Result (August 4): Progressive public health advocate won the Democratic primary over Rep. Haley Stevens despite $60M+ in outside spending against him (NBC News projection).

US Senate (Republican primary)

Mike Rogers, the 2024 nominee, ran without significant opposition and secured the nomination.

Mike Rogers (R)Former congressman, GOP nominee
Result (August 4): Former congressman ran without significant opposition in the Republican primary and secured the nomination.

Governor (Democratic primary)

Open seat, Whitmer term-limited. Benson was the clear front-runner and won.

Jocelyn Benson (D)Secretary of State, won Democratic primary
Result (August 4): Secretary of State won the Democratic gubernatorial primary over Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson.

Governor (Republican primary)

John James carried the Trump endorsement and won the GOP primary over businessman Perry Johnson.

John James (R)US Rep, Trump-endorsed; won GOP primary over Perry Johnson
Perry Johnson (R)Businessman; lost to James in GOP primary
Result (August 4): Trump-endorsed US Rep won the Republican gubernatorial primary over businessman Perry Johnson.

What happens next

Winners advance to the general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Follow the general-election matchups on our Senate and governor trackers, or see every competitive state on the interactive election map.

All 2026 primary dates and results →