Federal
U.S. Senator
Votes on federal laws and confirms judges. Michigan has 2. This year’s seat is open.
6-year term
Civics 101
Your ballot, decoded
The basics at a glance: how to mark it, who you're electing, and what the money questions mean.
Mark it right
A race that says "Vote for not more than 4": mark all 4 and every vote counts. Mark 5 and none do.
- Fill the oval completely, in blue or black ink.
- Use all your votes in each race, but never more than it allows.
- Skipping a race is OK. Everything else still counts.
- Made a mistake? Don't erase. Ask for a new ballot.
Three sections, two sides
Straight-ticket only covers the partisan section. Nonpartisan races and proposals you mark one by one, and proposals are on the back.
Layouts vary. See your exact ballot at michigan.gov/vote.
Washington vs. Lansing
Same titles, different governments. A "congressperson" is a U.S. Representative.
Washington: Detroit has 2 U.S. Representatives and shares Michigan's 2 U.S. Senators. Lansing: Detroit has 12 State Representatives and 4 State Senators.
Every address is in one district of each. Your sample ballot at michigan.gov/vote shows yours.
Who you're electing this year
Every office below is on Detroit's Nov. 3 ballot. Tap a level to see its races.
Federal
U.S. Representative
A member of Congress. Detroit is split between the 12th and 13th districts.
2-year term
State
Governor & Lt. Governor
Run state government and propose the budget. Elected together as one vote.
4-year term
State
Secretary of State
Runs Michigan’s elections, driver’s licenses and vehicle registration.
4-year term
State
Attorney General
Michigan’s top lawyer. Represents the state in court.
4-year term
State
State Senator
1 of 38 senators in Lansing. Detroit is split among 4 districts, redrawn for this election.
4-year term
State
State Representative
1 of 110 representatives in Lansing. Detroit is split among 12 districts.
2-year term
State
Supreme Court Justice
2 of 7 seats on Michigan’s highest court. No party labels on the ballot.
8-year term
County
Wayne County Executive
Runs county government: roads, parks, health services and the county budget.
4-year term
County
Judges
Wayne County Circuit and Probate Courts, Detroit’s 36th District Court, and the Court of Appeals.
6-year terms
Schools
DPSCD School Board
Hires the superintendent and sets the budget. 5 of 7 seats. See the candidates.
4-year term (one 2-year seat)
Schools
State Board of Education
Sets statewide education policy. 2 seats.
8-year term
Schools
University boards
University of Michigan, Michigan State and Wayne State: 2 seats each. Set tuition and hire presidents.
8-year terms
How questions get on the ballot
- The Legislature can send a constitutional amendment to voters with a two-thirds vote.
- Citizens can collect signatures to propose a law or an amendment.
- Every 16 years, the constitution asks automatically whether to rewrite it. That's Proposal 1.
A new law needs 356,958 signatures (8%). A constitutional amendment needs 446,198 (10%).
Each block is 1% of the votes cast for governor in 2022.
What's a millage?
A property tax voters approve for a set purpose and number of years. A renewal continues one (the zoo). A new millage adds one (the museums).
A mill is $1 per $1,000 of taxable value. On about $100,000 of taxable value: the zoo millage costs $10 a year, the museum millage $20.
Quick answers
Can I bring this guide into the booth?
Yes. You can use your own notes or printouts while you vote. Just take them with you when you leave.
Not registered yet?
You can still register in person with proof of address at the Detroit City Clerk, through 8 PM on Election Day, and vote right then.
No photo ID?
You can still vote. You'll sign a short affidavit.
Someone says I can't vote?
If you're registered and in line by 8 PM, you can vote. Call the City Clerk at (313) 224-3270 or Election Protection at 866-687-8683.
Sources
- Michigan Department of State, Michigan Voter Information Center (accessed Oct. 19, 2026)
- Michigan Bureau of Elections, Election Inspectors' Procedure Manual: phones, photos, personal notes, rejected and spoiled ballots (Oct. 2024)
- Michigan Department of State, Secretary of State settles ballot selfie case (May 8, 2019)
- Michigan Bureau of Elections, General Election Ballot Instructions (straight, split, and mixed tickets; write-ins; two-sided ballots)
- Michigan Constitution, Art. II: voting rights (straight-ticket, registration, ID, absentee, early voting) and § 9 (initiative)
- Michigan Constitution, Art. XII: amendments and the convention question
- Michigan Constitution, Art. IV (Legislature, term limits), Art. V (executive offices), Art. VI (courts), Art. VIII (education boards), Art. IX (property tax, Headlee)
- Michigan Election Law, MCL 168.740 (spoiled ballots), MCL 168.803 (counting votes), and MCL 168.737a (write-ins)
- MCL 46.410: 4-year county commissioner terms beginning with the 2024 election
- House Fiscal Agency, Headlee Rollbacks and the Millage Reduction Fraction (Jan. 2023)
- University of Michigan Ballot Explainer, Understand the Sections (2026)
- Ballotpedia News, 2026 Michigan signature requirements (Dec. 2, 2025)
- BridgeDetroit, 2026 Michigan voter guide (Sept. 25, 2026)
- Votebeat Michigan, What's on your ballot (Sept. 16, 2026)
- Office of the Governor, Court of Appeals First District appointment (Mar. 18, 2026)
- City of Detroit, Department of Elections, (313) 224-3270