We’re just days away from the midterm elections. In a year defined by frustratingly high prices on everything and concerns about data centers and AI surveillance, nothing matters more than what happens next week.

Now, I know we’re only two lines deep into this newsletter, but I worry this is where a lot of readers might think, “I already voted early,” and click to the next email.

To you, I say nice work voting early, but please keep reading!

While many people have taken advantage of early voting, a lot of folks like to wait until Election Day to cast their ballot. And others still need to be convinced of how important it is to make their voice heard.

So, this newsletter has a couple of purposes:

If you still haven’t voted, it’s a refresher on the candidates and issues on your ballot.

And if you already voted, I have one ask—a plea really:

Please share this with someone who is on the fence about voting, or who isn’t sure about the issues.

Share this with someone who feels like they don’t know about the candidates, or someone who worries they can’t get a ride to the polls. We’ll cover all of that and more in today’s newsletter.

And remember: You can go out and vote right now! Early in-person voting is still available until the end of the weekend. Even if you’re not registered, you can register up to 8 p.m. on Election Day at your local clerk’s office.

The ’Gander team has been hard at work this year compiling everything voters need to know about the midterms. From the candidates to the issues, important dates and more.

Below, we’ll run through some of the bigger races and talk about the ballot proposals. But if you want to head straight to the Voter Guide and browse as you like, you can do so by clicking here.

Our 2026 Michigan Voter Guide includes topics like:

And much more!

Republican Mike Rogers is running for US Senate for the second time in two years. Democrat Abdul El-Sayed beat his own party’s establishment to face him in November. (AP Photos/Nic Antaya)

By Kyle Kaminski

Democratic US Sen. Gary Peters is retiring after serving two terms, leaving Michigan voters with an open US Senate seat for the second election in a row.

And ahead of the November election, all eyes will be on Michigan—namely because the race will play a pivotal role in determining which political party takes control of the US Senate.

Mike Rogers is a former congressman and FBI special agent running with President Donald Trump’s backing, whose platform and record include support for Medicaid cuts, abortion restrictions, mass deportations, and US military strikes in Iran.

Abdul El-Sayed is a physician and former Detroit health director running an anti-establishment campaign focused on Medicare for All, lowering costs, getting corporate money out of politics, opposing ICE, and establishing federal guardrails for data centers.

Democrat Jocelyn Benson has run Michigan’s elections for eight years. Republican John James is running for a third time for statewide office. One of them will replace Gretchen Whitmer as Michigan governor. (AP Photos/Paul Sancya and Jose Juarez)

By Kyle Kaminski

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited, leaving the highest elected office in the state open for the first time since 2018. And both parties are treating this one as a must-win.

Jocelyn Benson is Michigan’s secretary of state running on affordability, housing, healthcare, education, voting rights, and data center regulations, while facing scrutiny over her husband’s connection to a company developing a major data center in Saline Township.

John James is a Republican congressman and former Army helicopter pilot whose platform centers on eliminating Michigan’s income tax, expanding school choice, and conservative policies on abortion and immigration.

Proposal 1 asks whether Michigan should reopen its Constitution. Proposal 2 would bar utility companies from donating to politicians. Here’s what’s on your Nov. 3 ballot.

By Kyle Kaminski

This year, hundreds of thousands of Michiganders were asked to sign petition drives seeking to change state laws or amend the state Constitution. Only one of those petitions gathered enough valid signatures and made it all the way through the certification process.

Paired with the question of whether Michigan should hold a Constitutional Convention, that means Michiganders will vote on two separate ballot proposals in November. The ballot became official in early September, after a pair of court rulings settled the last open question.

Local news doesn’t fund itself.

National outlets can’t cover every story that matters in Michigan. That’s why everything you read in The ’Gander is focused on our communities and the issues affecting the people who live here. Readers like you keep that reporting going.

Even a small monthly gift keeps The ’Gander free for everyone in Michigan, no paywalls, ever.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega, with stories by Kyle Kaminski and The ’Gander’s team. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOTING, REGISTERING TO VOTE, OR PROOF OF VOTING IS NOT REQUIRED. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. and D.C., 18+. Entry Period: 12:00 a.m. ET 10/19/26 – 11:59 p.m. ET 10/29/26. Void where prohibited. Subject to Official Rules. Sponsor: Courier Newsroom, Inc.