Michigan state executive official elections, 2022
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| Michigan state executive official elections |
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| Election details |
| Filing deadline: April 19, 2022 |
| Primary: August 2, 2022 General: November 8, 2022 |
| How to vote |
| Poll times: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting in Michigan |
| Ballotpedia analysis |
| Federal and state primary competitiveness State executive elections in 2022 Impact of term limits in 2022 State government trifectas and triplexes |
| Other state executive elections |
Twelve state executive offices were up for election in Michigan in 2022:
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Attorney General
Secretary of State
State Board of Education (2 seats)
University of Michigan Board of Regents (2 seats)
Michigan State University Board of Trustees (2 seats)
Wayne State University Board of Governors (2 seats)
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 at conventions.[1]
Governor
General election candidates
- Gretchen Whitmer (Incumbent) (Democratic Party) ✔
- Tudor Dixon (Republican Party)
- Kevin Hogan (Green Party)
- Mary Buzuma (Libertarian Party)
- Daryl Simpson (Natural Law Party)
- Donna Brandenburg (U.S. Taxpayers Party)
- Evan Space (Independent) (Write-in)
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Democratic primary candidates
- Gretchen Whitmer (Incumbent) ✔
Did not make the ballot:
Republican primary candidates
- Tudor Dixon ✔
- Ryan Kelley
- Ralph Rebandt
- Kevin Rinke
- Garrett Soldano
- Elizabeth Adkisson (Write-in)
- Justin Blackburn (Write-in)
- James Craig (Write-in)
Did not make the ballot:
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Minor Party convention candidates
Green Party
Libertarian Party
U.S. Taxpayers Party
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Lieutenant Governor
General election candidates
- Garlin Gilchrist II (Incumbent) (Democratic Party) ✔
- Shane Hernandez (Republican Party)
- Destiny Clayton (Green Party)
- Brian Ellison (Libertarian Party)
- Doug Dern (Natural Law Party)
- Mellissa Carone (U.S. Taxpayers Party)
Democratic convention candidates
- Garlin Gilchrist II (Incumbent) ✔
Republican convention candidates
Minor Party convention candidates
Green Party
Libertarian Party
U.S. Taxpayers Party
Attorney General
General election candidates
- Dana Nessel (Incumbent) (Democratic Party) ✔
- Matthew DePerno (Republican Party)
- Joe McHugh (Libertarian Party)
- Gerald T. Van Sickle (U.S. Taxpayers Party)
Democratic convention candidates
- Dana Nessel (Incumbent) ✔
Republican convention candidates
Minor Party convention candidates
Libertarian Party
U.S. Taxpayers Party
Secretary of State
General election candidates
- Jocelyn Benson (Incumbent) (Democratic Party) ✔
- Kristina Karamo (Republican Party)
- Larry Hutchinson Jr. (Green Party)
- Gregory Stempfle (Libertarian Party)
- Christine Schwartz (U.S. Taxpayers Party)
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Democratic convention candidates
- Jocelyn Benson (Incumbent) ✔
Republican convention candidates
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Minor Party convention candidates
Green Party
Libertarian Party
U.S. Taxpayers Party
State Board Of Education
At-large
General election candidates
- Pamela Pugh (Incumbent) (Democratic Party) ✔
- Mitchell Robinson (Democratic Party) ✔
- Tami Carlone (Republican Party)
- Linda Lee Tarver (Republican Party)
- Donna Gundle-Krieg (Libertarian Party)
- Bill Hall (Libertarian Party)
- Ethan Hobson (U.S. Taxpayers Party)
- Mary Anne Hering (Working Class Party)
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Democratic convention candidates
- Pamela Pugh (Incumbent) ✔
- Mitchell Robinson ✔
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Republican convention candidates
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Minor Party convention candidates
Libertarian Party
U.S. Taxpayers Party
Working Class Party
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
State Board of Regents
Michigan State University Board of Trustees
General election candidates
- Renee Knake Jefferson (Incumbent) (Democratic Party) ✔
- Dennis Denno (Democratic Party) ✔
- Mike Balow (Republican Party)
- Travis Menge (Republican Party)
- Robin Laurain (Green Party)
- Claranna Gelineau (Libertarian Party)
- Max Riekse (Libertarian Party)
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Democratic convention candidates
- Renee Knake Jefferson (Incumbent) ✔
- Dennis Denno ✔
Republican convention candidates
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Minor Party convention candidates
Green Party
Libertarian Party
University of Michigan Board of Regents
General election candidates
- Michael Behm (Incumbent) (Democratic Party) ✔
- Katherine White (Incumbent) (Democratic Party) ✔
- Lena Epstein (Republican Party)
- Sevag Vartanian (Republican Party)
- Sherry A. Wells (Green Party)
- Eric Larson (Libertarian Party)
- Kathleen Oakford (Natural Law Party)
- Joe Sanger (U.S. Taxpayers Party)
Did not make the ballot:
- James Lewis Hudler (Libertarian Party)
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Democratic convention candidates
- Michael Behm (Incumbent) ✔
- Katherine White (Incumbent) ✔
Republican convention candidates
Minor Party convention candidates
Green Party
Libertarian Party
U.S. Taxpayers Party
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Wayne State University Board of Governors
General election candidates
- Marilyn Kelly (Incumbent) (Democratic Party) ✔
- Danielle Atkinson (Democratic Party) ✔
- Christa Murphy (Republican Party)
- Craig Wilsher (Republican Party)
- Susan Odgers (Green Party)
- Bruce Jaquays (Libertarian Party)
- Marc Joseph Sosnowski (U.S. Taxpayers Party)
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Democratic convention candidates
- Marilyn Kelly (Incumbent) ✔
- Danielle Atkinson ✔
Republican convention candidates
Minor Party convention candidates
Green Party
Libertarian Party
U.S. Taxpayers Party
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Campaign finance
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Attorney General
Secretary of State
State Board of Education (2 seats)
University of Michigan Board of Regents (2 seats)
Michigan State University Board of Trustees (2 seats)
Wayne State University Board of Governors (2 seats)
Context of the 2022 elections
Party control in Michigan
Michigan Party Control: 1992-2026
Two years of Democratic trifectas • Fourteen years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.
| Year | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
| Senate | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D |
| House | D | S | S | R | R | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | R | R |
Voter information
How the primary works
A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Michigan utilizes an open primary system, in which registered voters do not have to be members of a party to vote in that party's primary. All candidates appear on the same ballot and a voter may only vote for candidates of one party at any primary.[2][3]
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.
Poll times
In Michigan, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. Most of the state observes Eastern Time, while several counties observe Central Time. Anyone in line when the polls close must be allowed to vote.[4]
Registration requirements
- Check your voter registration status here.
To vote in Michigan, a voter must be a United States citizen and a resident of their city or township for at least 30 days. Voters must be at least 18 years old by Election Day, and not be currently serving a sentence in jail or prison.[5]
Voters may register to vote online, by mail, or in person at clerk's offices in their county, city, or township, or at a state department branch office 15 days or earlier before an election.[5]
Within 14 days of an election and on Election Day, voters can register in person at their local clerk's office by presenting proof of residency documentation.[5] According to the Michigan Secretary of State's website:[5]
| “ | Proof of residency is official documentation (paper or digital) that lists a voter’s current name and address. When registering to vote within 14 days of an election, voters must present one form of proof of residency in person at a local clerk’s office. Proof of residency examples include:
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” |
Automatic registration
- See also: Automatic voter registration
Michigan automatically registers eligible individuals to vote when they apply for or update a driver’s license or personal identification card.[7] The state sends a notice to the person afterward allowing them to decline the voter registration.
The Michigan Department of Corrections must also work with the secretary of state to automatically register individuals who are released from incarceration. The state also automatically registers individuals who apply for Medicaid coverage with the Department of Health and Human Services.[8][9]
Online registration
- See also: Online voter registration
Michigan has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.[10]
Same-day registration
- See also: Same-day voter registration
Michigan allows same-day voter registration.[5]
Residency requirements
Michigan law requires individuals to "be a resident of their city or township for at least 30 days by Election Day to vote in that election," according to the Michigan Secretary of State's office.[5]
Verification of citizenship
Michigan does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury.[11]
All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment.[12] Six states — Alabama, Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring individuals provide proof of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. Two states, Georgia and Mississippi, require a person provide proof of citizenship if their citizenship status cannot be verified by other means. One state, Ohio, requires proof of citizenship only when registering to vote at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles facility. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.
Verifying your registration
The Michigan Voter Information Center, administered by the Michigan Department of State, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.
Voter ID requirements
Michigan requires voters to present photo identification while voting.[13]
The following list of accepted ID was current as of December 2025. Click here for the Michigan Secretary of State page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.
| “ |
You will be asked to show ID when you check in to vote. If you don’t have one, you can still vote.
|
” |
Voters can obtain a state identification card at a secretary of state branch office for $10. Voters over the age of 65, voters who are blind, and voters whose driving privileges have been terminated due to a physical or mental disability can obtain an identification card for free. Additionally, voters who can present a reason for having the fee waived may also obtain an ID for free. Visit the Michigan secretary of state’s page or call (888) SOS-MICH (767-6424) for more information.[14]
Early voting
Michigan permits early voting. Michigan refers to early voting as early in-person voting. Early voting dates vary across the state, but must include a minimum of nine consecutive days, ending on the Sunday before an election.[15] For more information, click here.
Early voting allows citizens to cast their ballots in person at a polling place before an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee/mail-in ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.
Forty-seven states and the District of Columbia permit no-excuse early voting. Alabama, Mississippi, and New Hampshire do not offer no-excuse early voting.
Absentee voting
Any Michigan voter can cast an absentee ballot. To vote absentee, a request must be received online or by mail no later than 5 p.m. on the Friday before the election. In-person requests can be made until 4 p.m. on the day before Election Day. Completed absentee ballots must then be received by a local clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day.[16]
Past elections
2020
The following elections took place in 2020:
See also
| Michigan | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Michigan.gov, "Filing for office," accessed August 20, 2021
- ↑ Michigan Legislature, "MCL - Section 168.531," accessed December 9, 2025
- ↑ Michigan Legislature, "MCL - Section 168.576," accessed December 9, 2025
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "Vote in person," accessed December 9, 2025
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Michigan Secretary of State, "Register to Vote," accessed December 9, 2025
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Michigan Legislature, "MCL - Section 168.493a," accessed December 9, 2025
- ↑ Bolts Magazine, "Michigan Law Is First to Automatically Register People to Vote As They Leave Prison," November 17, 2023
- ↑ Michigan Legislature, "MCL - Section 168.493b," accessed December 9, 2025
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedncsl - ↑ Michigan.gov, "Michigan Voter Registration Application and Change of Address Form," accessed December 9, 2025
- ↑ Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
- ↑ Michigan.gov, "Notice to Voters: Voter Identification Requirement in Effect," accessed October 7, 2025
- ↑ Kingsford Michigan, "A Guide to Voter ID/Affidavit at the Polls," accessed December 9, 2025
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "Early in-person voting," accessed December 9, 2025
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "Vote at home (Absentee)," accessed December 9, 2025
