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Michigan election guide 2026: What to know before you vote 

Find out how to vote, who's running and what's on Metro Detroiters' November ballot.

Politics

The final countdown to Election Day is on, and voting is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="already underway" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/09/22/absentee-voting-november-election" data-vars-content-id="f47d885e-ed8c-4df7-ade5-a7b0584c2907" data-vars-headline="Michigan election guide 2026: What to know before you vote " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/09/22/absentee-voting-november-election" target="_self">already underway</a> across Metro Detroit.Why it matters: There&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plenty at stake" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/25/trump-doj-midterms-interference" data-vars-content-id="f47d885e-ed8c-4df7-ade5-a7b0584c2907" data-vars-headline="Michigan election guide 2026: What to know before you vote " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/25/trump-doj-midterms-interference" target="_self">plenty at stake</a> in this year&#x27;s midterms, and voters are approaching the election with a mix of concern and optimism.

Michigan voters share midterm nerves

From excitement to anxiety, readers share how they're feeling ahead of Election Day.

Last week, Axios Detroit <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="asked readers to weigh in" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/10/22/michigan-voter-guides-2026-ballot" data-vars-content-id="2721fca1-7aae-4a65-b95f-908b8a870832" data-vars-headline="Michigan voters share midterm nerves" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/10/22/michigan-voter-guides-2026-ballot" target="_self">asked readers to weigh in</a> on how they&#x27;re feeling about Michigan&#x27;s upcoming midterms, which have been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="driving a lot of anxiety" data-vars-click-url="https://news.gallup.com/poll/712955/election-concerns-run-high-ahead-2026-midterms.aspx" data-vars-content-id="2721fca1-7aae-4a65-b95f-908b8a870832" data-vars-headline="Michigan voters share midterm nerves" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/712955/election-concerns-run-high-ahead-2026-midterms.aspx" target="_blank">driving a lot of anxiety</a>. Thanks to all who responded!<ul><li>Nearly three-quarters of the 24 respondents said they&#x27;re voting absentee, versus about 17% on Election Day and 13% early in person. </li><li>Here&#x27;s a selection of what you wrote, edited for brevity and clarity: </li></ul>

Youth sports reshaping Sundays

As youth sports grow, Detroit-area churches are trying to preserve Sundays for worship.

Religion

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="youth sports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/19/private-equity-youth-sports" data-vars-content-id="91fa19ec-7ea7-4c53-9197-a152d0aaecb1" data-vars-headline="Youth sports reshaping Sundays" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/19/private-equity-youth-sports" target="_self">youth sports</a> boom is reshaping Sunday mornings in Metro Detroit as religious organizations and sports clubs vie for busy families&#x27; time.Why it matters: Churches used to anchor family life on Sundays. But <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="youth sports" data-vars-click-url="https://stateline.org/2026/07/21/private-investment-in-youth-sports-draws-state-federal-scrutiny/" data-vars-content-id="91fa19ec-7ea7-4c53-9197-a152d0aaecb1" data-vars-headline="Youth sports reshaping Sundays" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://stateline.org/2026/07/21/private-investment-in-youth-sports-draws-state-federal-scrutiny/" target="_blank">youth sports</a> — a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="multibillion-dollar industry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/30/procamps-otro-private-equity-youth-sports" data-vars-content-id="91fa19ec-7ea7-4c53-9197-a152d0aaecb1" data-vars-headline="Youth sports reshaping Sundays" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/30/procamps-otro-private-equity-youth-sports" target="_self">multibillion-dollar industry</a> — are increasingly filling that role.

High flight prices from Detroit are here to stay

DTW fares average $527, and airlines are likely to keep prices rising.

Travel

That wince you just made while researching travel options from DTW? Get used to it.Why it matters: Soaring jet fuel prices are accelerating changes across the airline industry, seen in higher fares, premium-heavy cabins and fewer flights.

Detroit ranks 64th among U.S. cities for walking

Detroiters walk 150 miles annually per person, ranking 64th among 100 major cities.

Environment

Detroiters average 150 walking miles per person per year, roughly the national average, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://learn.streetlightdata.com/measuring-walking-and-biking-miles-traveled-ebook" data-vars-content-id="33b96f10-a688-4b8e-afa0-b3a6363dd5d8" data-vars-headline="Detroit ranks 64th among U.S. cities for walking" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://learn.streetlightdata.com/measuring-walking-and-biking-miles-traveled-ebook" target="_blank">report</a> from transportation data firm StreetLight.Why it matters: Detroit has been working to become more pedestrian-friendly by repairing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="broken sidewalks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wxyz.com/news/voices/detroit-launches-9-5m-effort-to-fix-more-than-6-300-backlogged-sidewalk-repair-requests" data-vars-content-id="33b96f10-a688-4b8e-afa0-b3a6363dd5d8" data-vars-headline="Detroit ranks 64th among U.S. cities for walking" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wxyz.com/news/voices/detroit-launches-9-5m-effort-to-fix-more-than-6-300-backlogged-sidewalk-repair-requests" target="_blank">broken sidewalks</a> and focusing on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="walkable commercial corridors" data-vars-click-url="https://detroitgreenways.org/twenty-minute-neighborhoods/" data-vars-content-id="33b96f10-a688-4b8e-afa0-b3a6363dd5d8" data-vars-headline="Detroit ranks 64th among U.S. cities for walking" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://detroitgreenways.org/twenty-minute-neighborhoods/" target="_blank">walkable commercial corridors</a> in neighborhoods, with the data providing a baseline for that effort.

I biked the Joe Louis Greenway so you don't have to (yet) 

Some stretches are smooth and scenic, while construction still interrupts others.

🚲 Annalise here, reporting back after my impatience got the better of me and I biked about 10 miles along the unfinished Joe Louis Greenway.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Under construction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2022/11/21/joe-louis-greenway-taking-shape-detroit" data-vars-content-id="f5a57b66-3038-4c27-8730-24b58412fce1" data-vars-headline="I biked the Joe Louis Greenway so you don&#x27;t have to (yet) " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2022/11/21/joe-louis-greenway-taking-shape-detroit" target="_self">Under construction</a> since <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2021" data-vars-click-url="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2021/05/17/detroit-breaks-ground-200-million-dollar-joe-louis-greenway/5124983001/" data-vars-content-id="f5a57b66-3038-4c27-8730-24b58412fce1" data-vars-headline="I biked the Joe Louis Greenway so you don&#x27;t have to (yet) " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2021/05/17/detroit-breaks-ground-200-million-dollar-joe-louis-greenway/5124983001/" target="_blank">2021</a>, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$300 million" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/joe-louis-greenway-scores-10m-grant-construction-highland-park" data-vars-content-id="f5a57b66-3038-4c27-8730-24b58412fce1" data-vars-headline="I biked the Joe Louis Greenway so you don&#x27;t have to (yet) " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/joe-louis-greenway-scores-10m-grant-construction-highland-park" target="_blank">$300 million</a> pathway has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="big implications" data-vars-click-url="https://nextcity.org/features/detroit-new-joe-louis-greenway-gentrification-displacement-investment" data-vars-content-id="f5a57b66-3038-4c27-8730-24b58412fce1" data-vars-headline="I biked the Joe Louis Greenway so you don&#x27;t have to (yet) " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nextcity.org/features/detroit-new-joe-louis-greenway-gentrification-displacement-investment" target="_blank">big implications</a> for Detroit neighborhoods and tourism. Its completion is highly anticipated.

Fall is the best time to plant trees in Michigan

Cooler weather gives new trees time to establish roots before winter.

Did you know? Fall is the ideal season to plant trees in Michigan, according to the DNR.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;The cooler temperatures and moist soil give roots a chance to establish before winter, setting trees up for healthy growth in spring,&quot; Kevin Sayers, the DNR&#x27;s urban and community forestry program manager, said in a news release.

Gordie Howe opening puts Historic Fort Wayne in focus

Bridge traffic is bringing fresh attention to the park with neglected buildings.

Development

The Gordie Howe International Bridge&#x27;s new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="walking path" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/08/05/gordie-howe-bridge-bike-canada-opening-day" data-vars-content-id="4550000a-cd4a-426f-9b63-ba1bcc3ecd73" data-vars-headline="Gordie Howe opening puts Historic Fort Wayne in focus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/08/05/gordie-howe-bridge-bike-canada-opening-day" target="_self">walking path</a> is bringing new visitors to a historic park — and raising questions about its future.Why it matters: Detroit has struggled to breathe new life into <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Historic Fort Wayne" data-vars-click-url="https://www.historicfortwayne.org/" data-vars-content-id="4550000a-cd4a-426f-9b63-ba1bcc3ecd73" data-vars-headline="Gordie Howe opening puts Historic Fort Wayne in focus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.historicfortwayne.org/" target="_blank">Historic Fort Wayne</a>, the sprawling military and Indigenous site.

It's lawn-seeding time in Michigan

State-by-state guidance shows the window for filling patches of grass in your lawn before frost sets in.

It&#x27;s prime time in Michigan to plant grass seed for patching bare spots or overseeding lawns.Why it matters: Plant too late and grass might not establish before winter; too early and young grass could still be exposed to stressful summer heat.

Locusts could help detect forever chemicals

MSU scientists found locust brains can distinguish between PFAS chemicals.

Michigan State researchers discovered locusts could help experts detect &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="forever chemical" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/05/15/epa-forever-chemicals-rollback-michigan" data-vars-content-id="76a849a6-9d64-43bd-a3ee-206949a6b03b" data-vars-headline="Locusts could help detect forever chemicals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/05/15/epa-forever-chemicals-rollback-michigan" target="_self">forever chemical</a>&quot; contamination.Why it matters: There&#x27;s a great need for new, more accessible technologies that can detect a broad range of PFAS types.

Detroit's century-old brick sewers endure

Ornate brick sewers that go back to the mid-1900s have lasted underground.

History

Some of Detroit&#x27;s most impressive brickwork isn&#x27;t holding up a historic building, but is buried beneath our feet and still carrying sewage today.Why it matters: Detroit&#x27;s mid-19th-century leaders invested in sewer infrastructure that today&#x27;s city officials believe could last another hundred years.

Plan your Michigan fall color getaway

Peak color season is coming. Here's where to go — book soon!

Look alive, leaf peepers! If you haven&#x27;t booked your fall foliage travel, now&#x27;s the time.Why it matters: Michiganders know autumn is the peak time to enjoy the Mitten State&#x27;s natural beauty, whether that means a half-day on Belle Isle or a four-hour drive for a weekend getaway.

August skywatching guide for Metro Detroit

Here are the celestial sights worth stepping outside to see this month.

Aerospace

August is one of the year&#x27;s best months for skywatching. From shooting stars to a nearly eclipsed full Moon, here&#x27;s what&#x27;s worth watching in the weeks ahead.Why it matters: Recent smoky skies are a reminder not to take clear nights for granted.

Detroit unveils flood-fighting stormwater basins

The new basins are designed to limit flooding risk for 1,200 west-side homes.

Detroit finished a major infrastructure project it says will make a world of difference for 1,200 west-side homes that experienced frequent flooding.Why it matters: For $40 million, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department finished the city&#x27;s first large-scale municipality-owned stormwater basin area.

Bar chart shows the five cities where residents walk the most – Orlando, Boston, Anaheim, New Orleans and Tampa Bay – and the least: San Jose, Fresno, Colorado Springs, and Bakersfield and Stockton Calif.

How much walking we do in Detroit&nbsp;

Data: StreetLight; Graphic: Jim Sergent/Axios

A U.S. map highlighting optimal fall grass seeding windows for lawn patching and overseeding. Areas in dark green indicate regions where seeding can be done now with a shorter window, while lighter green areas suggest a longer window toward late September for seeding. Yellow regions recommend waiting until September or October, and parts in beige indicate that other timing is better for seeding. In general, the top half of the country is a "seed now" color, while the bottom half has more time or should wait for another season. 

Optimal fall grass seeding windows

Data: Axios analysis of state Cooperative Extension recommendations; Map: Brad Jennings/Axios