In Michigan, Democrats maintain a narrow majority in the state Senate, but it is important to note that these seats will not be contested until 2026. Election Day is set for November 5, with polls closing scheduled between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.
As for the presidential elections, 15 Electoral College votes will be awarded to the winner of the state. Among the main contenders are Harris (D), Trump (R), Chase Oliver (Libertarian), Jill Stein (Green), among others. Also noteworthy is the contest for the 7th and 8th Congressional Districts, as well as other contests for the federal House of Representatives, the state Supreme Court, and the state House of Representatives.
A new law implemented grants local election officials more time to process and tabulate mail-in votes, which should streamline the vote counting. In the 2020 elections, over 3.1 million voters cast their ballots by mail, representing about 56% of all votes cast. This legal change aims to expedite the publication of results and prevent misunderstandings like the "Republican mirage" mentioned in previous elections.
Cities and towns with at least 5,000 inhabitants can begin processing and tabulating ballots up to eight days before the election, while smaller jurisdictions can do so the day before. Key counties in Michigan include Wayne (Detroit), Oakland, Macomb, Kent (Grand Rapids), Genesee (Flint), and Washtenaw (Ann Arbor). The Associated Press is committed to declaring a winner only when there is no margin for the trailing candidate to recover.
The state of Michigan has been crucial in recent presidential elections, with very close votes that shift the balance of power in different spheres. Democratic Representative Elissa Slotkin faces Republican Mike Rogers in the federal Senate, while the congressional districts are tightly contested and the elections for the state House of Representatives are expected to be decisive for both political parties.
Michigan will remain a key state in the electoral scene, with a focus on every vote and the results that will define the political course in this territory.
