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WKAR Election 2026

WKAR Off the Record panel discussion
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Michigan voices.
Local questions, statewide stakes.
The answers that matter before you vote.

WKAR Politics · Election 2026

Your Top
Political Headlines

All Stories →
Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate Abdul El-Sayed speaks to Michigan State University students during a town hall in East Lansing, Mich., on Sept. 11, 2026.
Andrew Roth
/
WKAR-MSU
Election 2026
El-Sayed says students want restrictions on 'existential risk' of AI
Andrew Roth
Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate Abdul El-Sayed wants to regulate AI firms like public utilities, including partial public ownership of the corporations with elected or appointed board members.
U.S. Rep. John James, the Republican nominee for Michigan governor, at a Charlie Kirk memorial press conference at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich., on Sept. 10, 2026.
Andrew Roth
/
WKAR-MSU
Election 2026
James says 'no excuse' for political violence one year after Kirk death
Andrew Roth
Abdul El-Sayed, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, speaks at a rally at the University of Michigan on August 26, 2026.
C-SPAN
Election 2026
Jewish faith leaders air concerns with Democratic Senate nominee El-Sayed
Colin Jackson for MPRN

WKAR Politics

Meet the Team
Covering Your Election

The journalists covering Mid-Michigan's 2026 election.

WKAR's politics team follows the candidates, presses for specifics, and connects statewide decisions to your schools, roads, utility bills, data centers, and local government.

WKAR NEWS MID-MICHIGAN POLITICS TEAM

WKAR NEWS STATEWIDE POLITICS

WKAR news the Signal
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The Signal is your WKAR News Sunday morning briefing on what’s ahead in mid-Michigan. The Signal Plus is your mid-week update from WKAR News
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OUR PROMISE

What voters
can expect
from us.

Eight counties. Capitol to Main Street.
This is our coverage.

In-Depth Reporting
No 10-second soundbites. Our hosts ask the hard questions that matter to daily life and give candidates and officials the time to answer.
Beyond the Capitol
We go to the small towns and outlying counties where the stories are just as consequential, just as personal, and far less told.
Reporting Beyond the Obvious
We find the overlooked angles, the undercovered communities, and the decisions that shape your life close to home.
Tools to Take Action
Coverage is paired with resources to understand your ballot, contact representatives, and make your voice heard locally and statewide.
Where You Are
A new video podcast studio will bring more of our team to the platforms where you already spend time: more voices, more formats, more access.
Independent. Always.
WKAR is public media: no advertisers, no corporate owners, no political agenda. Independent journalists work for you, and only you.

WKAR-TV & YouTube

Off The Record: Rewind

More Off The Record →
Hosted by Tim Skubick • Episodes, interviews, and reels on WKAR-TV and WKAR News YouTube
BUTTON: support WKAR
Local journalism depends on listener support!
WKAR’s Fall Radio Fundraiser will be shorter this year to reduce interruptions, but we need your help all month long to make that possible. Your gift supports trusted news, election coverage, NPR programming, and classical music for everyone in mid-Michigan. Donate today to support local journalism!

MICHIGAN 2026

Key Election Dates

OFFICIAL CALENDAR →
SEPT 24
Absentee Ballots Available — Absentee ballots must be available to voters. Secure ballot drop boxes also begin their required 24-hour-per-day availability.
OCT 6
7th Congressional District Debate — Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett and Democratic challenger William Lawrence face off in a debate at the WKAR studios. The debate is hosted by WKAR, WILX and FOX 47.
OCT 8
U.S. Senate Debate: WOOD TV8 — Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed and Republican nominee Mike Rogers meet for a debate hosted by WOOD TV8 in Grand Rapids.
OCT 19
Voter Registration Deadline — This is the deadline to register to vote online or by mail for the Nov. 3 election.
OCT 20
Same-Day Voter Registration Begins — Unregistered voters can register in person at their local clerk's office with proof of residency. Same-day registration remains available through Election Day.
OCT 21
U.S. Senate Debate: WXYZ-TV — El-Sayed and Rogers meet for a second scheduled debate, hosted by WXYZ-TV and moderated by journalist Chuck Stokes.
OCT 24
Early In-Person Voting Begins — Statewide early voting for the general election opens.
OCT 30
Absentee Ballot Deadline — By 5 p.m., clerks must mail absentee ballots requested by mail. This is also a deadline for voters to address certain signature issues with absentee ballot applications.
NOV 3
Michigan General Election
Michigan State Capitol

AUGUST PRIMARY 2026

Latest Election Results

LATEST RESULTS →
WKAR news the Signal
SUBSCRIBE NOW: The Signal
The Signal is your WKAR News Sunday morning briefing on what’s ahead in mid-Michigan. The Signal Plus is your mid-week update from WKAR News
SUBSCRIBE HERE