How to register to vote in Michigan: Step-by-step guide
Registering to vote in Michigan is simple and can be done online, by mail, or in person, depending on how close you are to Election Day.
Election Day 2025 is coming up on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Across the state, voters will be heading to the polls — if they haven’t already voted early or absentee — to decide key races and issues in their communities. Some of the notable races in the metro Detroit area include mayoral contests in Detroit, Dearborn, Hamtramck, Taylor, Southfield, Pontiac and New Baltimore; as well as a number of closely watched city council races, municipal governance proposals and bond issues.
All of which will not only bring change this year, but could set the stage for next year’s Michigan gubernatorial and congressional midterm elections.
Here are the key races to watch this week.
Detroit mayoral race
Triumph Church pastor, The Rev. Solomon Kinloch, is looking to upset current frontrunner — in polling and campaign cash — Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield. Each is seeking to replace outgoing Mayor Mike Duggan, who is opting to run for governor in 2026. Sheffield has promised to keep the city’s momentum going forward, while Kinloch has mainly focused on ensuring the success of the city’s downtown and surrounding areas makes it to the neighborhood.
Detroit City Council races
Along with a heated mayor’s race, there are two open districts seats and two at-large seats up for grabs on the Detroit City Council. In District 5, Renata Miller, an Indian Village resident, faces Willie Burton, a commissioner on the city’s police oversight board. And, in District 7, Denzel Anton Hines-McCampbell and state Rep. Karen Whitsett are competing to replace current councilmember Fred Durhal III, who opted to pursue a bid for mayor rather than a second term on the council, but lost in the August primary. Citywide, Detroit’s two at-large council members, Incumbents Coleman Young II and and Mary Waters, are running for reelection in a field that includes former City Council member Janee’ Ayers and James Harris, a community relations chief for the Detroit Fire Department.
Hamtramck mayoral race
The 2-square-mile enclave inside Detroit, with a big national profile thanks to President Donald Trump nominating its current mayor, Amer Ghalib, to be ambassador to Kuwait — his nomination is idling in the U.S. Senate over questionable remarks and responses on social media — has three candidates seeking to be the next mayor: City Council member Muhith Mahmood, Adam Alharbi and write-in candidate, Lynn Blasey.
Dearborn mayoral race
Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud is facing a challenge from engineer Nagi Almudhegi in his quest for reelection to a second four-year term. The more progressive incumbent is trying to fend off his more conservative opponent who has promised to bring “common sense” to City Hall, while Hammoud touts his record of development and fighting crime.
Pontiac mayoral race
Pontiac’s mayoral race is a packed slate, between Mike McGuinness and Kermit Williams, as well as write-in candidates Jashon Gilmore, Sabrina Jernagin and Wendell Woods. McGuinness is on city council, while Williams is co-executive director of Oakland Forward.
Southfield mayoral race
Southfield’s mayoral race will feature a head-to-head between incumbent Kenson Siver and former Councilwoman Sylvia Jordan.
Sterling Heights City Council race
In Macomb County’s second-largest community, the city council’s six incumbents Deanna Koski, Michael Radtke, Maria Schmidt, Liz Sierawski, Henry Yanez and Barbara Ziarko are seeking reelection to their four-year seats. They are challenged by Daniel Acciacca, Teri Brinker, Rick McKiddy, Robert Mijac (a former county commissioner), Jackie Ryan (a former deputy county clerk who served under ousted county clerk Karen Spranger) and Moira Smith.
Roseville mayor and city council races
Roseville muralist Ed Stross said on Facebook he is running a write-in campaign for Roseville mayor against incumbent Robert Taylor, whose name is the only one appearing on the ballot for mayor. Roseville voters also will see five names for three, four-year city council seats on the ballot, but votes cast for late Councilwoman Jan Haggerty, who recently died, won’t count.
Detroit voter guide
If you want to know more about the candidates, check out our 2025 voter guide.
Where to find Michigan election results
When results start to roll in the night of Tuesday, Nov. 4, you can find them on Freep.com.
