Primary Elections
Michigan Primary Elections 2026
Primary date, filing deadlines, key contested races, and what to watch in Michigan ahead of the 2026 general election.
August 4, 2026
Primary Date
None
Runoff / RCV
April 2026
Filing Deadline
Very High — Senate open seat,
Competitiveness
Key 2026 Primary Races
| U.S. Senate | Open seat (Peters retiring) — major race |
| Governor | Gretchen Whitmer (D) up 2026 |
| U.S. House | MI-3, MI-7, MI-8, MI-10 competitive |
2026 Primary Overview
Michigan is a top-tier battleground. Gary Peters is retiring from the Senate, creating a major open seat contest. Democratic and Republican primaries for the Senate will feature multiple major candidates. Governor Whitmer faces re-election.