Michigan Governor Election 2026: Live Results
The Michigan Governor Election 2026 is on November 3, 2026. Jocelyn Benson (Democrat) faces Republican John James. The seat is currently held by Democrats and is open this year. VoteTide rates the race Lean D. Prediction markets give Jocelyn Benson a 94% chance of winning. The average of the last 5 polls has Jocelyn Benson ahead by 9.2 points. The last polls in Michigan close at 9 p.m. Eastern.
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Updated Tue, 03 Nov 2026 13:42:16 GMT
Results
No votes have been reported yet. Polls close at 9 p.m. Eastern.
Candidates
- Jocelyn Benson (Democrat)
- John James (Republican)
Odds
- Polymarket: Democrat 94%, Republican 6%
Rating: Lean D
Latest polls
| Pollster | Dates | Benson | James |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson College | October 31 – November 1, 2026 | 50% | 46% |
| Concord Public Opinion Partners (D) | October 31 – November 1, 2026 | 50% | 41% |
| Research Co. | October 30 – November 1, 2026 | 53% | 41% |
| AtlasIntel | October 28 – November 1, 2026 | 53% | 45% |
| New York Times/Siena University | October 23 – November 1, 2026 | 52% | 39% |
| YouGov | October 26–29, 2026 | 52% | 46% |
| Rasmussen Reports (R) | October 28–29, 2026 | 50% | 40% |
| Mitchell Research & Communications | October 26–27, 2026 | 49% | 44% |
| SSRS | October 20–27, 2026 | 53% | 41% |
| Data for Progress (D) | October 23–25, 2026 | 50% | 46% |
What's at stake
For the country
- Governors don't vote in Congress, but they run elections, carry out federal programs like Medicaid, and often lead their party nationally.
- A Republican win would be a flip from Democratic control.
For Michigan
- The governor signs or vetoes state laws, writes the state budget, runs state agencies, appoints officials and judges in many states, and in many states shapes how district maps are drawn.
- For Michigan, the result decides whether the governor's party matches the legislature's, which shapes what can pass in the next four years.
- It is an open seat, so there is no incumbent advantage this year.
Jocelyn Benson
- Supporters say a Democratic governor would invest in public schools and expand health coverage.
- They argue for protecting abortion access at the state level and raising wages.
John James
- Supporters say a Republican governor would cut state income taxes and limit state spending.
- They argue for school choice, public-safety funding and fewer business regulations.
Arguments are summarised at party level from each side's stated priorities, not quotes from the candidates.
Frequently asked questions
Who is running in the Michigan Governor Election 2026?
Jocelyn Benson (D), John James (R).
Who is favored to win the Michigan governor race?
Prediction markets give Jocelyn Benson a 94% chance. VoteTide's rating is Lean D.
When do polls close in Michigan?
On November 3, 2026, the last polls in Michigan close at 9 p.m. Eastern. The first results usually appear within an hour.
Where do these Michigan results come from?
Vote counts come from official election sources as they are published (and from the AP when configured). Odds come from Kalshi and Polymarket, and polls from public polling tables. The page refreshes every minute.
Michigan at a glance
- 2024 presidential result: Trump +1.4
- Electoral votes: 15
- U.S. House seats: 13