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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>

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.

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.

Michigan's forgotten grave-robbing era

Medical students once stole bodies from graves. Today, schools take voluntary donations.

History

Long before voluntary body donation became widespread, the University of Michigan and many other medical schools in need of cadavers sourced some through grave robbing.Why it matters: Medical students still need donated bodies to learn anatomy, but the system has evolved drastically from the mid-19th century to today&#x27;s informed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="consent" data-vars-click-url="https://medschool.umich.edu/sites/default/files/2024-07/Anatomical-Sciences-Donor-brochure-form.pdf" data-vars-content-id="0d3a6f0f-c9bc-4306-9ff6-91e86aadd89f" data-vars-headline="Michigan&#x27;s forgotten grave-robbing era" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://medschool.umich.edu/sites/default/files/2024-07/Anatomical-Sciences-Donor-brochure-form.pdf" target="_blank">consent</a>.

Detroit marks 100 years since Houdini's death

Detroit marks a century since Houdini's death with magic, mystery and a séance.

Locals are marking a century since renowned illusionist Harry Houdini died in Detroit on Halloween.Zoom in: The escape artist was born in Hungary and grew up in Wisconsin, but had a deep connection to Detroit.

A historic hospital's legacy for Black health care

Detroit's former Dunbar Memorial Hospital was founded to tackle gaps in medial care amid the Great Migration.

Black doctors founded Dunbar Memorial Hospital in the late 1910s to tackle a glaring gap in medical care amid the Great Migration.Why it matters: The building, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="designated as a historic site" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nps.gov/places/dunbar-hospital.htm" data-vars-content-id="cb066313-9784-4ef4-9e08-924808fb2027" data-vars-headline="A historic hospital&#x27;s legacy for Black health care" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nps.gov/places/dunbar-hospital.htm" target="_blank">designated as a historic site</a> near Detroit&#x27;s cultural center, is a physical reminder of how Black physicians built their own institutions to provide health care when patients were shut out of traditional care.

Detroit's century-old brick sewers endure

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

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.

Readers say Vernors belongs in Michigan's time capsule

We asked for suggestions to improve Michigan's contributions to the America250 capsule.

America&#x27;s 250th anniversary celebration includes a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new time capsule with artifacts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/29/michigan-america-250-time-capsule" data-vars-content-id="eff8301e-23bb-47e4-a127-67f595486d9a" data-vars-headline="Readers say Vernors belongs in Michigan&#x27;s time capsule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/29/michigan-america-250-time-capsule" target="_self">new time capsule with artifacts</a> from all 56 states and territories, and our readers say Vernors should have made it in.Driving the news: We asked for suggestions to improve Michigan&#x27;s contributions: a decorative dollar piece featuring an old automotive assembly line, a Petoskey stone and a chunk of copper representing our mining history and Indigenous culture.

What Michigan put in the America250 time capsule

It will remain sealed until America's 500th birthday in 2276.

America&#x27;s Time Capsule is chock full of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="historic items" data-vars-click-url="https://america250.org/time-capsule/contents/" data-vars-content-id="6adcd36a-dd9e-4aa2-834b-644818f118c8" data-vars-headline="What Michigan put in the America250 time capsule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://america250.org/time-capsule/contents/" target="_blank">historic items</a>, and Michigan&#x27;s contribution might just date back the furthest of any state.The big picture: The 900-pound steel capsule is part of the country&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="250th anniversary celebration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/03/america-250-freedom-250-national-mall-white-house-drama" data-vars-content-id="6adcd36a-dd9e-4aa2-834b-644818f118c8" data-vars-headline="What Michigan put in the America250 time capsule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/03/america-250-freedom-250-national-mall-white-house-drama" target="_self">250th anniversary celebration</a> and includes artifacts from the federal government, plus all 56 states and territories.

Podcast explores Detroit's history of Black Catholic activism

The series delves into faith, civil rights and widespread church closures.

A local journalist&#x27;s new longform podcast examines Detroit&#x27;s history as a proving ground for the influential Black Catholic movement.Why it matters: This little-known civil rights story details the Black Catholic community&#x27;s fight to preserve its churches and identity, while involving broader Detroit trends of white flight and deindustrialization.

Vernors fans get a fizzy celebration

The free event brings back vintage ads, ice cream and the Vernors Gnome.

Culture

Detroit&#x27;s own ginger ale, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Vernors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2022/08/11/trying-vernors-michigan" data-vars-content-id="fd2779e1-c237-4207-971c-c00873c48142" data-vars-headline="Vernors fans get a fizzy celebration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2022/08/11/trying-vernors-michigan" target="_self">Vernors</a>, is celebrating its 160th anniversary with a daylong party Sunday at Eastern Market.Why it matters: Like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Better Made" data-vars-click-url="https://bettermade.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqFKojepfv1ohEcn1GYAm5ToNhYzUd159bDbAQfwFIpx2RYfJlx" data-vars-content-id="fd2779e1-c237-4207-971c-c00873c48142" data-vars-headline="Vernors fans get a fizzy celebration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bettermade.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqFKojepfv1ohEcn1GYAm5ToNhYzUd159bDbAQfwFIpx2RYfJlx" target="_blank">Better Made</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Faygo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.faygo.com/" data-vars-content-id="fd2779e1-c237-4207-971c-c00873c48142" data-vars-headline="Vernors fans get a fizzy celebration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.faygo.com/" target="_blank">Faygo</a>, Vernors is a local brand woven into the city&#x27;s identity across generations.

"Michael" biopic highlights Motown Records

The film, while flawed, showcases Michael Jackson's Motown music roots.

For all its flaws, the new movie &quot;Michael&quot; does a good job highlighting the King of Pop&#x27;s ascension to superstardom, which begins with Detroit&#x27;s legendary Motown Records, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Cleveland" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/21/michael-jackson-movie-review" data-vars-content-id="23740493-4a27-4e2c-b923-390e6842970e" data-vars-headline="&quot;Michael&quot; biopic highlights Motown Records" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/21/michael-jackson-movie-review" target="_self">Axios Cleveland</a> music reporter Troy Smith writes.The intrigue: The Jackson 5&#x27;s breakthrough moment comes during a scene revisiting the July 12, 1968, show at Chicago&#x27;s Regal Theater that caught the attention of Motown Records creative assistant Suzanne de Passe.

A pit stop at Michigan's oldest bar, the New Hudson Inn

The New Hudson Inn is believed to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Business

The divey New Hudson Inn in western Oakland County claims to be the oldest bar in the state, and it&#x27;s worth a visit for history buffs.The big picture: The neighborhood spot with a rich history dating <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="back to 1831" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newhudsoninn1831.com/" data-vars-content-id="ffef79f5-efbe-4a09-9d0f-322c380ecbd4" data-vars-headline="A pit stop at Michigan&#x27;s oldest bar, the New Hudson Inn" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newhudsoninn1831.com/" target="_blank">back to 1831</a> is known for its burgers, jovial atmosphere and popularity with the biker crowd.

History

Michigan's forgotten grave-robbing era

Detroit marks 100 years since Houdini's death

How Cleveland helped launch the automobile age

A historic hospital's legacy for Black health care

Detroit's century-old brick sewers endure