Help us improve in just 2 minutes—share your thoughts in our reader survey.
Michigan Supreme Court elections, 2018
- General election: Nov. 6
- Voter registration deadline: Oct. 9
- Early voting: N/A
- Absentee voting deadline: Nov. 6
- Online registration: No
- Same-day registration: No
- Voter ID: Photo ID requested
- Poll times: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
| 2018 election dates | |
|---|---|
| Deadline to file candidacy | |
| March 26, 2018
July 5, 2018 | |
| General election | |
| November 6, 2018 | |
| 2018 State Judicial Elections | |
|---|---|
2019 »
« 2017
| |
 | |
| Overview | |
| Supreme Courts Overview | |
| Appellate Courts Overview | |
| View judicial elections by state: | |
The terms of two Michigan Supreme Court justices expired on January 1, 2019. Those justices had to stand for nonpartisan election by voters in 2018 in order to remain on the bench.
In Michigan, political parties nominate candidates for some offices at their conventions instead of holding a primary. Candidates for lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, Supreme Court, and the boards of Michigan State University, Wayne State University, the University of Michigan and the state Board of Education are nominated by political parties. The Democratic Party state convention and the Republican Party state convention were both held from August 25 to August 26.[1][2][3] Incumbent Supreme Court Justices had to file by July 5, 2018.
Candidates and results
Clement and Wilder's seats
General election candidates
- Elizabeth Clement (Incumbent) (Republican Party) ✔
- Kurtis Wilder (Incumbent) (Republican Party)
- Samuel Bagenstos (Democratic Party)
- Megan Cavanagh (Democratic Party) ✔
- Kerry Lee Morgan (Libertarian Party)
- Doug Dern (Natural Law Party)
About the Michigan Supreme Court
- See also: Michigan Supreme Court
The Michigan Supreme Court is the court of last resort in Michigan. The court is located in the Michigan Hall of Justice in Lansing, the state capital. There are seven justices on the court, one being the chief justice. Justices are elected to eight-year terms or appointed by the governor in the case of a vacancy. Most commonly, the court takes appeals from the Michigan Court of Appeals. It is also responsible for the administration and supervision of all lower courts in the state.[4]
Political composition
| ■ Stephen Markman | Appointed by Gov. John Engler (R) in 1999, elected in 2004 and 2012 | |
| ■ Kurtis Wilder | Appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder (R) in 2017 | |
| ■ Brian Zahra | Appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder (R) in 2011, elected in 2012 and 2014 | |
| ■ David Viviano | Appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder (R) in 2013, elected in 2014 and 2016 | |
| ■ Bridget Mary McCormack | Elected in 2012 | |
| ■ Richard Bernstein | Elected in 2014 | |
| ■ Elizabeth Clement | Appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder (R) in 2017 |
Selection
- See also: Judicial selection in Michigan
The seven justices of the Michigan Supreme Court are chosen in nonpartisan elections. They serve eight-year terms and must be re-elected if they wish to continue serving.[5] Incumbent judges seeking re-election may file an affidavit of candidacy requesting to be placed on the ballot, while non-incumbent candidates must either file a nominating petition or obtain a partisan nomination at a party convention. Incumbency is noted on the ballot, though party affiliation is not.[5]
In the event of a midterm vacancy, the governor appoints a temporary replacement to serve until the next general election. At the governor's request, the state bar's standing committee on judicial qualifications interviews, evaluates, and rates all candidates, submitting a confidential report to the governor.[5]
Qualifications
In order to be elected to this court, a judge must:
- be a qualified elector;
- be licensed to practice law in the state;
- have at least five years of law practice experience;
- be under the age of 70.[5]
Sitting judges who reach age 70 are allowed to serve out the remainder of their term.[6]
Selection of the chief justice
The chief justice of the court serves a two-year term and is elected by his or her fellow justices.[5]
State profile
| Demographic data for Michigan | ||
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 9,917,715 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 56,539 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 79% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 14% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 2.7% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 0.5% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 2.6% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 4.7% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 89.6% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 26.9% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $49,576 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 20% | 11.3% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Michigan. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
Presidential voting pattern
- See also: Presidential voting trends in Michigan
Michigan voted for the Democratic candidate in four out of the seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
Pivot Counties (2016)
Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, 12 are located in Michigan, accounting for 5.83 percent of the total pivot counties.[7]
Pivot Counties (2020)
In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Michigan had 11 Retained Pivot Counties and one Boomerang Pivot County, accounting for 6.08 and 4.00 of all Retained and Boomerang Pivot Counties, respectively.
More Michigan coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in Michigan
- United States congressional delegations from Michigan
- Public policy in Michigan
- Endorsers in Michigan
- Michigan fact checks
- More...
Pivot Counties
- See also: Pivot Counties by state
Twelve of 83 Michigan counties—14 percent—are Pivot Counties. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.
| Counties won by Trump in 2016 and Obama in 2012 and 2008 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| County | Trump margin of victory in 2016 | Obama margin of victory in 2012 | Obama margin of victory in 2008 | ||||
| Bay County, Michigan | 12.55% | 5.56% | 15.31% | ||||
| Calhoun County, Michigan | 12.46% | 1.60% | 9.36% | ||||
| Eaton County, Michigan | 4.72% | 3.13% | 8.40% | ||||
| Gogebic County, Michigan | 14.80% | 8.10% | 17.27% | ||||
| Isabella County, Michigan | 3.66% | 9.28% | 19.26% | ||||
| Lake County, Michigan | 22.77% | 5.01% | 12.28% | ||||
| Macomb County, Michigan | 11.53% | 3.99% | 8.62% | ||||
| Manistee County, Michigan | 15.29% | 5.93% | 13.26% | ||||
| Monroe County, Michigan | 21.97% | 0.98% | 4.35% | ||||
| Saginaw County, Michigan | 1.13% | 11.89% | 17.34% | ||||
| Shiawassee County, Michigan | 19.59% | 3.67% | 8.59% | ||||
| Van Buren County, Michigan | 13.92% | 0.45% | 8.78% | ||||
In the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump (R) won Michigan with 47.5 percent of the vote. Hillary Clinton (D) received 47.3 percent. In presidential elections between 1836 and 2016, Michigan voted Republican 60.8 percent of the time and Democratic 34.7 percent of the time. In the five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016, Michigan voted Democratic four out of the five elections.[8]
Presidential results by legislative district
The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state House districts in Michigan. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[9][10]
| In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 53 out of 110 state House districts in Michigan with an average margin of victory of 37.1 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 43 out of 110 state House districts in Michigan with an average margin of victory of 39.3 points. Clinton won four districts controlled by Republicans heading into the 2018 elections. |
| In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 57 out of 110 state House districts in Michigan with an average margin of victory of 12.4 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 67 out of 110 state House districts in Michigan with an average margin of victory of 21.2 points. Trump won eight districts controlled by Democrats heading into the 2018 elections. |
| 2016 presidential results by state House district | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District | Obama | Romney | 2012 Margin | Clinton | Trump | 2016 Margin | Party Control |
| 1 | 76.12% | 23.52% | D+52.6 | 74.49% | 22.85% | D+51.6 | D |
| 2 | 75.84% | 23.76% | D+52.1 | 74.45% | 22.64% | D+51.8 | D |
| 3 | 98.21% | 1.58% | D+96.6 | 96.30% | 2.42% | D+93.9 | D |
| 4 | 96.04% | 3.37% | D+92.7 | 92.77% | 5.06% | D+87.7 | D |
| 5 | 96.95% | 2.71% | D+94.2 | 93.33% | 4.83% | D+88.5 | D |
| 6 | 94.15% | 5.34% | D+88.8 | 90.29% | 7.44% | D+82.9 | D |
| 7 | 98.97% | 0.86% | D+98.1 | 96.95% | 1.74% | D+95.2 | D |
| 8 | 97.77% | 1.98% | D+95.8 | 95.72% | 2.90% | D+92.8 | D |
| 9 | 96.42% | 3.28% | D+93.1 | 93.92% | 4.34% | D+89.6 | D |
| 10 | 83.03% | 16.36% | D+66.7 | 80.28% | 16.66% | D+63.6 | D |
| 11 | 69.83% | 29.28% | D+40.6 | 60.65% | 34.79% | D+25.9 | D |
| 12 | 69.66% | 29.46% | D+40.2 | 56.96% | 38.90% | D+18.1 | D |
| 13 | 58.70% | 40.26% | D+18.4 | 47.99% | 46.73% | D+1.3 | D |
| 14 | 63.97% | 34.90% | D+29.1 | 50.54% | 44.29% | D+6.2 | D |
| 15 | 65.45% | 33.49% | D+32 | 62.76% | 31.92% | D+30.8 | D |
| 16 | 65.88% | 33.26% | D+32.6 | 56.06% | 38.69% | D+17.4 | D |
| 17 | 53.64% | 45.27% | D+8.4 | 38.41% | 56.34% | R+17.9 | R |
| 18 | 58.28% | 40.69% | D+17.6 | 50.48% | 44.92% | D+5.6 | D |
| 19 | 47.24% | 51.98% | R+4.7 | 43.64% | 51.18% | R+7.5 | R |
| 20 | 47.63% | 51.76% | R+4.1 | 49.30% | 45.76% | D+3.5 | R |
| 21 | 55.97% | 43.27% | D+12.7 | 54.96% | 40.68% | D+14.3 | D |
| 22 | 62.75% | 36.16% | D+26.6 | 50.97% | 44.23% | D+6.7 | D |
| 23 | 51.61% | 47.53% | D+4.1 | 41.73% | 53.84% | R+12.1 | D |
| 24 | 48.16% | 51.15% | R+3 | 40.03% | 55.91% | R+15.9 | R |
| 25 | 51.35% | 47.82% | D+3.5 | 42.94% | 52.49% | R+9.6 | D |
| 26 | 58.60% | 40.29% | D+18.3 | 56.27% | 37.48% | D+18.8 | D |
| 27 | 74.32% | 24.77% | D+49.6 | 71.48% | 23.39% | D+48.1 | D |
| 28 | 63.19% | 35.81% | D+27.4 | 54.82% | 40.99% | D+13.8 | D |
| 29 | 75.48% | 23.86% | D+51.6 | 69.48% | 26.66% | D+42.8 | D |
| 30 | 47.68% | 51.54% | R+3.9 | 39.34% | 57.11% | R+17.8 | R |
| 31 | 57.26% | 41.80% | D+15.5 | 47.27% | 48.11% | R+0.8 | D |
| 32 | 45.10% | 53.91% | R+8.8 | 30.78% | 64.53% | R+33.8 | R |
| 33 | 43.07% | 56.18% | R+13.1 | 32.28% | 63.80% | R+31.5 | R |
| 34 | 91.05% | 8.32% | D+82.7 | 85.10% | 12.15% | D+73 | D |
| 35 | 81.97% | 17.64% | D+64.3 | 81.81% | 15.71% | D+66.1 | D |
| 36 | 38.24% | 61.04% | R+22.8 | 30.40% | 65.42% | R+35 | R |
| 37 | 59.10% | 40.27% | D+18.8 | 60.06% | 35.59% | D+24.5 | D |
| 38 | 45.76% | 53.61% | R+7.9 | 45.77% | 49.43% | R+3.7 | R |
| 39 | 47.87% | 51.46% | R+3.6 | 45.98% | 49.67% | R+3.7 | R |
| 40 | 46.75% | 52.82% | R+6.1 | 53.61% | 42.72% | D+10.9 | R |
| 41 | 47.73% | 51.57% | R+3.8 | 48.35% | 46.97% | D+1.4 | R |
| 42 | 39.08% | 60.20% | R+21.1 | 35.20% | 59.46% | R+24.3 | R |
| 43 | 44.30% | 54.75% | R+10.5 | 37.46% | 56.79% | R+19.3 | R |
| 44 | 40.04% | 59.10% | R+19.1 | 33.95% | 60.71% | R+26.8 | R |
| 45 | 43.50% | 55.87% | R+12.4 | 43.89% | 51.48% | R+7.6 | R |
| 46 | 38.96% | 60.14% | R+21.2 | 33.28% | 61.11% | R+27.8 | R |
| 47 | 36.64% | 62.49% | R+25.9 | 29.62% | 65.24% | R+35.6 | R |
| 48 | 58.92% | 39.84% | D+19.1 | 42.94% | 51.79% | R+8.9 | D |
| 49 | 70.36% | 28.78% | D+41.6 | 62.12% | 33.46% | D+28.7 | D |
| 50 | 56.32% | 42.74% | D+13.6 | 47.23% | 47.93% | R+0.7 | D |
| 51 | 45.91% | 53.06% | R+7.1 | 35.38% | 58.95% | R+23.6 | R |
| 52 | 51.66% | 47.46% | D+4.2 | 52.00% | 42.81% | D+9.2 | D |
| 53 | 79.38% | 19.51% | D+59.9 | 84.00% | 11.95% | D+72.1 | D |
| 54 | 75.10% | 23.79% | D+51.3 | 72.03% | 23.05% | D+49 | D |
| 55 | 67.37% | 31.61% | D+35.8 | 68.76% | 26.59% | D+42.2 | D |
| 56 | 48.37% | 50.57% | R+2.2 | 35.50% | 59.23% | R+23.7 | R |
| 57 | 49.04% | 49.87% | R+0.8 | 36.78% | 57.21% | R+20.4 | R |
| 58 | 38.71% | 60.10% | R+21.4 | 26.28% | 68.98% | R+42.7 | R |
| 59 | 44.29% | 54.72% | R+10.4 | 32.68% | 61.96% | R+29.3 | R |
| 60 | 72.01% | 26.83% | D+45.2 | 69.41% | 24.00% | D+45.4 | D |
| 61 | 50.04% | 49.13% | D+0.9 | 49.18% | 44.85% | D+4.3 | R |
| 62 | 55.24% | 43.75% | D+11.5 | 46.21% | 48.51% | R+2.3 | R |
| 63 | 44.40% | 54.59% | R+10.2 | 36.73% | 57.51% | R+20.8 | R |
| 64 | 47.70% | 51.23% | R+3.5 | 39.65% | 54.58% | R+14.9 | R |
| 65 | 45.58% | 53.37% | R+7.8 | 34.34% | 59.82% | R+25.5 | R |
| 66 | 49.22% | 49.68% | R+0.5 | 40.21% | 53.57% | R+13.4 | R |
| 67 | 54.11% | 44.79% | D+9.3 | 48.13% | 45.14% | D+3 | D |
| 68 | 74.22% | 24.64% | D+49.6 | 69.86% | 24.09% | D+45.8 | D |
| 69 | 63.28% | 35.87% | D+27.4 | 65.25% | 29.76% | D+35.5 | D |
| 70 | 46.16% | 52.60% | R+6.4 | 31.66% | 61.85% | R+30.2 | R |
| 71 | 51.63% | 47.28% | D+4.4 | 45.73% | 48.08% | R+2.4 | R |
| 72 | 42.84% | 56.25% | R+13.4 | 42.15% | 51.76% | R+9.6 | R |
| 73 | 38.17% | 60.92% | R+22.8 | 38.73% | 55.53% | R+16.8 | R |
| 74 | 38.55% | 60.36% | R+21.8 | 34.41% | 58.80% | R+24.4 | R |
| 75 | 74.68% | 23.76% | D+50.9 | 72.00% | 20.81% | D+51.2 | D |
| 76 | 54.72% | 44.21% | D+10.5 | 56.22% | 36.96% | D+19.3 | D |
| 77 | 40.65% | 58.32% | R+17.7 | 39.18% | 54.16% | R+15 | R |
| 78 | 42.78% | 56.14% | R+13.4 | 35.48% | 58.95% | R+23.5 | R |
| 79 | 47.82% | 51.46% | R+3.6 | 43.78% | 51.52% | R+7.7 | R |
| 80 | 41.20% | 57.64% | R+16.4 | 34.03% | 59.93% | R+25.9 | R |
| 81 | 43.91% | 55.01% | R+11.1 | 29.26% | 65.68% | R+36.4 | R |
| 82 | 43.67% | 55.14% | R+11.5 | 28.22% | 66.56% | R+38.3 | R |
| 83 | 46.42% | 52.52% | R+6.1 | 33.33% | 60.79% | R+27.5 | R |
| 84 | 43.28% | 55.59% | R+12.3 | 28.81% | 66.70% | R+37.9 | R |
| 85 | 49.88% | 48.85% | D+1 | 35.62% | 57.97% | R+22.4 | R |
| 86 | 36.01% | 62.99% | R+27 | 34.93% | 58.61% | R+23.7 | R |
| 87 | 40.02% | 58.70% | R+18.7 | 30.07% | 63.54% | R+33.5 | R |
| 88 | 26.40% | 72.87% | R+46.5 | 25.79% | 68.49% | R+42.7 | R |
| 89 | 37.56% | 61.56% | R+24 | 36.28% | 57.85% | R+21.6 | R |
| 90 | 32.62% | 66.46% | R+33.8 | 32.75% | 60.91% | R+28.2 | R |
| 91 | 50.46% | 48.46% | D+2 | 39.61% | 54.18% | R+14.6 | R |
| 92 | 67.85% | 31.32% | D+36.5 | 58.17% | 36.52% | D+21.7 | D |
| 93 | 46.26% | 52.90% | R+6.6 | 38.97% | 55.17% | R+16.2 | R |
| 94 | 43.56% | 55.67% | R+12.1 | 37.44% | 57.65% | R+20.2 | R |
| 95 | 74.44% | 24.76% | D+49.7 | 66.46% | 29.76% | D+36.7 | D |
| 96 | 53.72% | 45.31% | D+8.4 | 43.05% | 51.44% | R+8.4 | D |
| 97 | 45.55% | 53.21% | R+7.7 | 30.25% | 65.08% | R+34.8 | R |
| 98 | 43.01% | 56.04% | R+13 | 37.35% | 55.97% | R+18.6 | R |
| 99 | 50.75% | 48.05% | D+2.7 | 40.94% | 52.83% | R+11.9 | R |
| 100 | 43.36% | 55.52% | R+12.2 | 30.44% | 64.16% | R+33.7 | R |
| 101 | 48.22% | 50.74% | R+2.5 | 40.48% | 53.98% | R+13.5 | R |
| 102 | 42.55% | 56.27% | R+13.7 | 30.87% | 63.45% | R+32.6 | R |
| 103 | 42.90% | 55.90% | R+13 | 28.62% | 66.46% | R+37.8 | R |
| 104 | 43.58% | 55.39% | R+11.8 | 40.74% | 53.27% | R+12.5 | R |
| 105 | 40.35% | 58.47% | R+18.1 | 31.11% | 63.83% | R+32.7 | R |
| 106 | 45.20% | 53.57% | R+8.4 | 32.06% | 63.22% | R+31.2 | R |
| 107 | 43.34% | 55.54% | R+12.2 | 35.33% | 58.84% | R+23.5 | R |
| 108 | 44.37% | 54.58% | R+10.2 | 32.79% | 62.29% | R+29.5 | R |
| 109 | 53.29% | 45.44% | D+7.9 | 44.75% | 48.82% | R+4.1 | D |
| 110 | 47.04% | 51.62% | R+4.6 | 37.59% | 56.55% | R+19 | D |
| Total | 54.30% | 44.79% | D+9.5 | 47.36% | 47.59% | R+0.2 | - |
| Source: Daily Kos | |||||||
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms 'Michigan judicial election' OR 'Michigan court election' OR 'Michigan election 2018'. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Detroit Free Press, "Democratic endorsement convention reveals divide between progressives, African Americans," April 19, 2018
- ↑ Michigan.gov, "Michigan Election dates," accessed April 30, 2018
- ↑ Michigan GOP, "2018 Michigan Republican Party State Convention," accessed April 30, 2018
- ↑ Michigan Courts, "About the Supreme Court," accessed October 29, 2014
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Michigan," archived October 2, 2014
- ↑ Michigan Daily, "Washtenaw County judge announces early retirement," May 1, 2014
- ↑ The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
- ↑ 270towin.com, "Michigan," accessed June 29, 2017
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017
Federal courts:
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan
State courts:
Michigan Supreme Court • Michigan Court of Appeals • Michigan Circuit Court • Michigan Court of Claims • Michigan District Courts • Michigan Municipal Courts • Michigan Probate Courts
State resources:
Courts in Michigan • Michigan judicial elections • Judicial selection in Michigan
