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U-M Regents, MSU Trustees & WSU Governors 2026 Voter Guide

Last update: October 17, 2026. Get to know the 2026 candidates for University of Michigan Regent, Michigan State University Trustee and Wayne State University Governor, learn what these boards control, and see how your votes count.

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In 60 seconds: Twenty-six candidates are running for six seats that govern Michigan's three largest research universities, and all six seats are held by Democrats today. At the University of Michigan, an incumbent regent lost his party's nomination; at Michigan State, the board's new ethics code divides the candidates; and at Wayne State, both seats are open and the board's majority is on the line.

 

About This Guide

This guide is designed to help you understand both the office and the election—not tell you how to vote.

We begin by explaining what the office does, how much authority it has, and why it matters. From there, we cover the current race, the major issues, what to look for in a candidate, and profiles of everyone seeking the office. The goal is to provide the context you need to evaluate candidates based on the responsibilities of the job—not just campaign headlines.

Michigan Women updates these guides throughout the election cycle as new information becomes available. We review official government records, campaign websites, debate transcripts, campaign finance filings, public statements, and reporting from a wide range of reputable news organizations. New information is verified before it is added, and significant changes are incorporated as the race develops.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Michigan Women does not endorse or oppose candidates or political parties. Our role is to make Michigan government and elections easier to understand so every voter can make informed decisions with confidence.

To learn more about our research process, editorial standards, and commitment to nonpartisan civic education, visit our Strategy & Impact Guide.

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About the 2026 University Board Elections

VOTE: General Election: November 3, 2026

The basics:

  • Three races, six seats: two seats each on the University of Michigan Board of Regents, the Michigan State University Board of Trustees, and the Wayne State University Board of Governors
  • Candidates: 26 in all (6 for U-M, 10 for MSU, 10 for Wayne State)
  • Term: 8 years, unpaid
  • How nominees are chosen: party conventions, not a primary
  • What's changed since 2024: U-M's incumbent Democrat Jordan Acker lost his party's nomination; neither Wayne State incumbent is running; and a June 2026 attempt to replace these elected boards with appointed ones failed in the Michigan House
  • Reading time: about 40 minutes

 

What is this election for?

You'll see three separate races near the end of your ballot: Regent of the University of Michigan, Trustee of Michigan State University, and Governor of Wayne State University. Each board has eight members who serve staggered eight-year terms, so two seats on each board are filled every two years.

For each board, you may vote for up to two candidates, and the top two finishers win. You can choose candidates from different parties. If you vote a straight party ticket, your vote counts for both of that party's nominees on each board. Winners take office on January 1, 2027, and serve through January 1, 2035.

All six seats on this year's ballot are currently held by Democrats. At U-M and Michigan State, at least one incumbent is running. At Wayne State, both seats are open.

 

Why is there a "Governor of Wayne State University" on my ballot?

It isn't the governor of Michigan. "Governor" is the title Wayne State uses for the members of its governing board, just as U-M calls its board members "regents" and Michigan State calls them "trustees." All three jobs are essentially the same.

 

What are Michigan's university boards?

Michigan's Constitution creates three elected boards to run the state's three largest research universities: the Regents of the University of Michigan, the Board of Trustees of Michigan State University, and the Board of Governors of Wayne State University. Each board has "general supervision" of its university and controls how the university spends its money. Each board also hires the university's president, who serves on the board without a vote.

Board members are elected statewide, serve eight-year terms without pay, and have no term limits. When a seat opens before a term ends, the governor of Michigan appoints a replacement, who serves until a successor is elected.

Michigan's other public universities, such as Western Michigan, Grand Valley, and Central Michigan, are run by boards appointed by the governor, not elected by voters.

Official source: Michigan Constitution, Article VIII, Section 5 | Michigan Election Law, MCL 168.282

 

Why do Michigan voters elect university boards?

Michigan has elected U-M's regents since its 1850 constitution, and today's constitution, adopted in 1963, makes all three boards elected. Supporters say elections keep these powerful boards answerable to the public and protect the universities from political control by any one governor or legislature.

Critics say most voters know little about these candidates, that party conventions, not voters, effectively choose them, and that board members sometimes act more like partisan officeholders than stewards of a university. Lawmakers have proposed switching to appointed boards several times, in 1999, 2001, 2006, and 2023.

The most recent attempt came this year. On June 3, 2026, the Michigan House voted on a constitutional amendment that would have had the governor appoint all three boards and removed the current members. Supporters said it would address dysfunction on the boards; House Speaker Matt Hall, who brought it to a vote, said voters should decide whether a new process would produce more qualified members. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and former governors John Engler and James Blanchard had endorsed the idea. It failed 52 to 54; it needed a two-thirds vote, or 74 votes, to reach the ballot. All but one Democrat and six Republicans voted no, and House Minority Leader Ranjiv Puri criticized Hall for calling the vote without warning or negotiation. Nothing on the November ballot changes how these boards are chosen.

What do you think works better for a public university: board members who answer to voters, or board members chosen by an elected governor and confirmed by the Senate?

 

How are the candidates chosen?

Candidates for these boards do not run in an August primary. Each political party nominates up to two candidates for each board at its state convention. Learn more in our explainer, How Michigan Chooses Nominees for Statewide Offices.

Democratic convention results

Michigan Democrats held their endorsement convention in Detroit on April 19, 2026, and made the nominations official in Lansing on August 29.

  • U-M Regents: Paul Brown (43.17%) and Amir Makled (39.31%) were endorsed over incumbent Regent Jordan Acker (17.51%), who will not appear on the November ballot. Before the vote, an anonymous text message targeting Acker and a mailer from a group that does not disclose its donors targeting Makled's law firm circulated among delegates. The state party said it would investigate both.
  • MSU Trustees: Incumbents Brianna Scott (38.21%) and Kelly Tebay Zemke (31.01%) were endorsed over state Sen. Sylvia Santana (30.78%). Santana appealed the results, citing votes cast outside the convention hall and problems with the voting app. The party's appeals committee dismissed the appeal unanimously on June 2.
  • Wayne State Governors: Shereef Akeel and Richard Mack were endorsed over Nazmul Hassan and Jeremiah Wheeler.

Republican convention results

Michigan Republicans endorsed their candidates in Novi on March 28, 2026, and made the nominations official in Mt. Pleasant on August 22. All six Republican nominees were unopposed.

  • U-M Regents: Lena Epstein and Michael Schostak
  • MSU Trustees: Julie Maday and Roger Victory
  • Wayne State Governors: Andy Anuzis and Christa Murphy

Other party nominations

Five smaller parties have candidates in at least one of these races: the Libertarian Party, the U.S. Taxpayers Party, the Green Party, the Working Class Party, and the Natural Law Party. Their nominees are listed under "Other Candidates" in each university's section.

 

What can these boards do — and not do?

These boards have unusual independence for public bodies. Because their powers come from the state constitution, Michigan courts have generally held that the Legislature cannot run the universities' internal affairs.

What the boards can do

  • Hire, evaluate, and replace the president. U-M's regents elected C. Cybele Raver as president in September 2026 after two earlier picks fell through; Wayne State's governors named Richard Bierschbach president in February 2026.
  • Set tuition and approve the budget. Each board votes on tuition every June. In 2026, U-M raised resident undergraduate tuition 3.0%, Michigan State 3.99%, and Wayne State 4%.
  • Decide financial aid programs. U-M's Go Blue Guarantee and MSU's Spartan Tuition Advantage are board-approved programs that cover tuition for lower- and middle-income Michigan students.
  • Buy, sell, and build. Boards approve land purchases and major construction, such as U-M's purchase of land in Ypsilanti Township for a research computing center.
  • Set campus rules. Boards adopt policies on student conduct, protest and free expression, investments, and the board's own ethics.
  • Oversee major institutions beyond campus, including U-M's health system and MSU's Extension offices in every Michigan county.

What the boards cannot do

  • Set the state's funding. The Legislature and governor decide how much state money each university receives.
  • Pass laws. Boards set university policy, but they cannot change state or federal law.
  • Ignore federal rules. Federal research funding, student visas, and civil rights enforcement come with federal conditions the boards do not control.
  • Use race or sex preferences in admissions. Michigan's Constitution has barred this at public universities since 2006.
  • Fill their own vacancies. The governor appoints replacements.
  • Run the university day to day. That is the president's job. The board sets direction and holds the president accountable.

Official source: Michigan Constitution, Article VIII, Section 5

 

How do these boards affect my community?

You don't have to be a student to feel these boards' decisions. They set the tuition many Michigan families pay, decide how much financial aid goes to in-state students, and approve multimillion-dollar projects that affect local roads, jobs, and land use. U-M's health system is one of the state's largest employers and medical providers, MSU Extension runs offices in every county, and Wayne State's medical school and research partnerships are woven into Detroit.

These boards also respond to federal pressure on research grants, international students, and campus policy, and those decisions shape what Michigan's universities can offer the next generation.

When a candidate makes a promise, it's worth asking: Is this something the board actually controls, or does it depend on the Legislature, the federal government, or the university's president?

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What to Look for in a University Board Member

Once you understand what these boards do, the next question is: what helps someone do this job well?

Understanding of what the board can and can't do

Board members set direction and hire the president; they don't run classes or departments. Look for candidates whose promises match the board's actual powers.

Comfort with large budgets

Each of these universities manages billions of dollars. Board members approve budgets, tuition, debt, and construction, often with tradeoffs between affordability and quality.

Focus on students and affordability

Tuition, financial aid, housing, and graduation rates are central to the job. Look for specific, realistic plans rather than general promises.

Ability to work with colleagues who disagree

Board members serve eight-year terms with colleagues they didn't choose. Boards that can't work together have struggled to keep presidents and the public's trust.

Judgment on hiring and overseeing a president

Choosing and evaluating the president may be the most important decision a board member makes.

Openness and accountability

Boards meet in public and spend public money. Look for how candidates plan to explain decisions and hear from students, staff, and residents.

Steadiness under outside pressure

These boards answer to federal agencies, state lawmakers, donors, and campus groups. How would a candidate weigh competing demands while protecting the university's long-term health?

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University of Michigan Board of Regents

 

Who's on the board now?

The board has five Democrats and three Republicans. The two seats on this year's ballot (in bold) belong to Democrats Jordan Acker, who is not on the ballot, and Paul Brown, who is running for a second term.

Regent Party Role Term ends
Jordan B. Acker D Member Jan. 1, 2027
Paul W. Brown D Member Jan. 1, 2027
Mark J. Bernstein D Member Jan. 1, 2029
Sarah Hubbard R Member Jan. 1, 2029
Michael J. Behm D Chair Jan. 1, 2031
Katherine E. White D Member Jan. 1, 2031
Denise Ilitch D Member Jan. 1, 2033
Carl J. Meyers R Member Jan. 1, 2033

The university's president serves on the board without a vote. Interim President Domenico Grasso serves through November 30, 2026, and President C. Cybele Raver takes office December 1.

 

How long is the term, and are there term limits?

Regents serve eight-year terms. There are no term limits.

Source: U-M Board of Regents, current regents, as of October 17, 2026.

 

Could this election change the board's balance?

If voters elect... New board
Two Democrats 5 Democrats, 3 Republicans (no change)
One Democrat, one Republican 4 Democrats, 4 Republicans
Two Republicans 5 Republicans, 3 Democrats

On a 4–4 board, no decision could pass without at least one member voting with the other party. These races can be close: in 2024, Republican Carl Meyers and Democrat Denise Ilitch won U-M's two seats, splitting them between the parties, and the top four finishers were separated by about three percentage points.

 

What has the board been doing?

This is not a complete list. These are some of the decisions voters have heard the most about.

Searched for a president, twice

After President Santa Ono left in 2025, the regents unanimously chose Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud in January 2026. Syverud withdrew in April after a cancer diagnosis. The regents unanimously elected Vanderbilt University Provost C. Cybele Raver in September; she starts December 1.

Approved the 2026–27 budget and tuition

In June 2026, the regents approved a $3.1 billion general fund budget for the Ann Arbor campus, a 3.0% increase in resident undergraduate tuition and fees, a 4.9% increase for nonresident students, and $12.3 million more in undergraduate financial aid. In 2025, the board raised the Go Blue Guarantee income limit, which covers tuition for eligible in-state students, to $125,000.

Bought land for a research computing center

In 2025, the regents approved buying land in Ypsilanti Township for a high-performance computing center developed with Los Alamos National Laboratory. In August 2026, U-M chose a 144-acre site on Textile Road for the $1.25 billion project. Township officials and residents have opposed it, citing energy and water use and the lab's nuclear weapons work. U-M says the center is a research computing hub, not a commercial data center, and that its work with Los Alamos is limited to computer modeling.

Responded to federal pressure

In March 2025, U-M's administration closed its central diversity, equity and inclusion offices; supporters said the savings would go to student aid, while critics, including the ACLU of Michigan and faculty leaders, said the university gave in to federal pressure. In August 2025, U-M Health ended gender-affirming hormone therapy and puberty blockers for patients under 19 after a federal subpoena. Both were decisions by university leaders, not votes of the board, but both have become campaign issues.

Faced protest and campus surveillance questions

Pro-Palestinian protesters have pressed U-M to divest from companies tied to Israel since 2024; board leaders have said it will not. In 2025, U-M ended contracts with plainclothes security investigators after reports that they followed student protesters on and off campus. Regents Jordan Acker and Paul Brown have said that conduct was not approved by the board.

Official source: U-M Board of Regents meetings and proceedings | June 2026 budget documents

 

Top issues shaping the race

The four major-party candidates agree that college costs too much for Michigan families and that the board should be more open. They differ most on how to answer federal pressure, campus protest and investment policy, and the Ypsilanti computing center.

Comparisons below come from the candidates' campaign websites, Michigan Daily candidate interviews (March 16, 2026), and a Michigan Public story that asked all four candidates about the same issues (October 9, 2026). Michigan Public's broadcast license is held by the University of Michigan.

Issue Democrats Republicans Shared?
Tuition and financial aid (Michigan Daily; Michigan Public) Brown points to the Go Blue Guarantee's expansion to $125,000 and supports extending aid to some graduate programs. Makled supports a full tuition freeze and expanding the Go Blue Guarantee. Epstein supports holding tuition steady or lowering it; increases should be "the very last resort." Schostak would remove home equity from the Go Blue Guarantee's asset test and raise its income limit. Shared topic, different approaches — all four want lower costs; they differ on a tuition freeze versus targeted aid.
Michigan students and campuses (Michigan Public) Brown and Makled support more funding for the Flint and Dearborn campuses and more Michigan Medicine services in rural areas. Epstein and Schostak want more in-state students; Schostak says the share should move toward 70%. Shared topic, different approaches — Democrats focus on branch campuses and health care; Republicans focus on in-state admissions.
Federal pressure (Michigan Daily; Michigan Public) Brown points to lawsuits the university has joined against federal actions. Makled wants a stronger legal response, coordinated with other universities. Epstein says she is comfortable working with the federal administration and wants to protect the board's independence. Schostak opposed federal research cuts but says U-M had to protect its finances. Shared topic, different approaches
Ypsilanti computing center (Michigan Public) Brown voted for the land purchase and now criticizes the project. Makled says U-M should listen to local opposition. Epstein does not oppose the project. Schostak has criticized how U-M handled it and opposes projects that lack local government support. Not a true match — three candidates criticize how U-M has handled the project, for different reasons; Epstein does not oppose it.
Divestment from Israel (Michigan Daily) Brown opposes divestment. Makled supports "ethical investments." Epstein opposes divestment. Schostak: not raised in the Michigan Daily interview. Not a true match — Brown and Epstein oppose divestment; Makled supports reviewing investments.
Campus speech and protest (campaign websites; Michigan Daily) Brown: not raised on his campaign website. Makled pledges academic freedom and free expression "without retaliation or surveillance." Epstein emphasizes campus safety and antisemitism. Schostak pledges to enforce protest rules consistently and supports open debate, even with controversial speakers. Shared topic, different approaches
Openness (Michigan Public) Brown gives out his cell phone number. Makled wants easier public comment at meetings. Epstein would publish more financial documents. Schostak would hold office hours. ✅ All four promise more openness, through different tools.

Sources: Michigan Public, October 9, 2026 | Michigan Daily, Democratic candidates | Michigan Daily, Republican candidates

The U-M Faculty Senate held a candidate forum on September 24, 2026, attended by five of the six candidates. Faculty Senate forum page

We'll continue tracking these issues as campaigns release more information ahead of November.

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Meet the U-M Regent Candidates

 

Paul Brown (D)

Quick Facts
  • Website: gobluevotebrown.com
  • Current Job: Managing partner, eLab Ventures
  • Job Title: University of Michigan Regent (incumbent)
  • City: Ann Arbor
  • County: Washtenaw
Top Priorities

The priorities below are drawn from the candidate's official campaign website and reflect the issues the campaign specifically chose to emphasize.

Brown's campaign website does not include an issues page. It states one priority:

  • Access and affordability: Making education and health care more affordable and accessible for working families.
Endorsements
  • Michigan Democratic Party (convention endorsement, April 19, 2026)
  • AFT Michigan
  • Michigan Education Association (September 2026)
  • Regent Jordan Acker

Endorsements as of October 17, 2026.

Career

Brown is managing partner of eLab Ventures, a venture capital firm. He previously served as vice president of capital markets at the Michigan Economic Development Corp., practiced law at Skadden Arps, and taught as a non-tenure-track faculty member in U-M's College of Engineering. He was elected regent in 2018 and served as board chair in 2022–23.

Personal

Brown grew up in northern Michigan. He earned his bachelor's degree and MBA from U-M and his law degree from Wayne State University. He and his wife, Nicole, have two children.

Race Notes

  • As an incumbent, Brown has a voting record on the board's most debated recent decisions. He voted for the Ypsilanti Township land purchase for the U-M and Los Alamos computing center; in an October 2026 interview with Michigan Public, he criticized the project as an example of "environmental racism." He also told Michigan Public he is a named plaintiff, as a regent, in lawsuits against federal actions affecting the university.

 

Amir Makled (D)

Quick Facts
  • Website: amirmakled.com
  • Current Job: Partner, Hall Makled
  • Job Title: Civil rights attorney
  • Age: 39
  • City: Dearborn
  • County: Wayne
Top Priorities

The priorities below are drawn from the candidate's official campaign website and reflect the issues the campaign specifically chose to emphasize.

  • Access: Expanding access across all three U-M campuses.
  • Affordability: Lowering costs for students and families.
  • Academic freedom and free expression: Protecting speech without retaliation or surveillance.
  • Accountability: Transparent governance by the board.
  • Workers: Fair treatment of university employees.
Endorsements
  • Michigan Democratic Party (convention endorsement, April 19, 2026)
  • AFT Michigan
  • Michigan Education Association (September 2026)
  • Graduate Employees' Organization (GEO 3550) (April 14, 2026)
  • The Michigan Daily Editorial Board (October 8, 2026)

Endorsements as of October 17, 2026.

Career

Makled is a civil rights attorney and partner at the Dearborn firm Hall Makled. He represented one of the pro-Palestinian student protesters charged by the Michigan Attorney General; those charges were later dropped.

Personal

Makled earned a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, where he served in student government, and a law degree from Wayne State University. His parents immigrated from Lebanon, and his father worked at Ford's Rouge plant. He is married and has twin daughters. If elected, he would be the first Arab American and Muslim regent.

Race Notes

  • In April 2026, the Detroit News reported that Makled had deleted reposts on X praising Hezbollah leaders. The Michigan Advance found archived reposts from mid-2025, including posts it described as antisemitic and reposts praising leaders of Iran's government and a Hezbollah leader; Makled did not keep a scheduled interview with the Advance about them. SEIU withdrew its endorsement of Makled in April, citing "new information." In an interview with the Michigan Daily's editorial board, Makled said, "I would totally reject any forms of antisemitic remarks," and committed to defending Jewish students, faculty, and staff.

 

Lena Epstein (R)

Quick Facts
  • Website: lenaforuofm.com
  • Current Job: Co-owner and executive, Vesco Oil Corp.
  • Job Title: Business executive
  • City: Bloomfield Hills
  • County: Oakland
Top Priorities

The priorities below are drawn from the candidate's official campaign website and reflect the issues the campaign specifically chose to emphasize.

  • Affordability: Holding tuition steady, lowering housing costs, and expanding need-based aid.
  • Access: Admitting more in-state students and creating pathways from community colleges.
  • Accountability: Spending transparency, oversight of university leadership, and campus safety, including addressing antisemitism.
Endorsements
  • Michigan Republican Party (convention endorsement, March 28, 2026)

Endorsements as of October 17, 2026.

Career

Epstein is co-owner and an executive of Vesco Oil Corp., a family-owned distribution company. She co-chaired Donald Trump's 2016 Michigan campaign, was the Republican nominee for Congress in Michigan's 11th District in 2018 (losing to Haley Stevens), served on Trump's national finance committee in 2020, and was the Michigan Republican Party's finance chair in 2024. She ran for U-M regent in 2022 and finished third, about 0.7 percentage points short of a seat.

Personal

Epstein earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Harvard University and an MBA from U-M's Ross School of Business. She is a fourth-generation U-M graduate.

 

Michael Schostak (R)

Quick Facts
  • Website: michaelschostak.com
  • Current Job: Treasurer, Bloomfield Township; principal, Schostak Capital Advisors
  • Job Title: Township treasurer
  • City: Bloomfield Township
  • County: Oakland
Top Priorities

The priorities below are drawn from the candidate's official campaign website and reflect the issues the campaign specifically chose to emphasize.

  • In-state students: Raise the share of Michigan students at U-M.
  • Go Blue Guarantee: Expand the program and stop counting home equity and small-business assets against eligibility.
  • Protest rules: Enforce campus protest rules consistently.
  • Student housing: Build more of it.
  • Budget transparency: Make university spending easier to see.
  • Stable leadership: Provide steady oversight of the university's leaders.
  • Local support for development: Oppose projects, including data centers, that lack local government support.
Endorsements
  • Michigan Republican Party (convention endorsement, March 28, 2026)
  • The Michigan Daily Editorial Board (October 8, 2026)
  • Regent Jordan Acker

Endorsements as of October 17, 2026.

Career

Schostak has served as Bloomfield Township treasurer since he was appointed in August 2023, after seven years as a township trustee, and was elected treasurer in November 2024. He is principal of Schostak Capital Advisors and previously worked at Lehman Brothers and Booz Allen Hamilton. He taught finance at Wayne State University from 2015 to 2019.

Personal

Schostak earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from U-M's Ross School of Business. He and his wife, Debra, have two children.

Other Candidates

Two smaller-party candidates are also on the ballot for U-M regent. Neither has published a platform.

Andrew Chadderdon (Libertarian)
  • City: Westland
  • Career: Chadderdon was also the Libertarian nominee for U-M regent in 2024, when he received 156,296 votes.
  • No published platform found as of October 17, 2026.
Kyle Maas (U.S. Taxpayers)
  • City: Byron Center
  • Career: Maas took part in the U-M Faculty Senate candidate forum on September 24, 2026.
  • No published platform or prior candidacies found as of October 17, 2026.

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Michigan State University Board of Trustees

 

Who's on the board now?

The board has six members elected as Democrats, one Republican, and one appointed member who has not declared a party. The two seats on this year's ballot (in bold) belong to Democrats Brianna Scott and Kelly Tebay Zemke, who are both running for second terms.

Trustee Party Role Term ends
Brianna T. Scott D Chair Jan. 1, 2027
Kelly Tebay (Tebay Zemke) D Member Jan. 1, 2027
Rema Vassar D Member Jan. 1, 2029
Sandy Pierce No declared party (appointed 2022) Member Jan. 1, 2029
Renee Knake Jefferson D Vice Chair Jan. 1, 2031
Dennis Denno D Member Jan. 1, 2031
Rebecca Bahar-Cook D Member Jan. 1, 2033
Mike Balow R Member Jan. 1, 2033

President Kevin Guskiewicz serves on the board without a vote. Since 2025, the board chair rotates each year by seniority.

 

How long is the term, and are there term limits?

Trustees serve eight-year terms. There are no term limits.

Source: MSU Board of Trustees, meet the trustees, as of October 17, 2026.

 

Could this election change the board's balance?

If voters elect... New board
Two Democrats 6 Democrats, 1 Republican, 1 no declared party (no change)
One Democrat, one Republican 5 Democrats, 2 Republicans, 1 no declared party
Two Republicans 4 Democrats, 3 Republicans, 1 no declared party

Democrats would keep a majority in every outcome. But Michigan State's recent board votes have not split neatly by party: Democrats have voted on both sides of the board's most contested decisions, including its 2026 ethics code. In 2024, Democrat Rebecca Bahar-Cook won the second MSU seat by about 4,100 votes over Republican Julie Maday, who is running again this year.

 

What has the board been doing?

This is not a complete list. These are some of the decisions voters have heard the most about.

Adopted a board ethics code

On May 17, 2026, the board adopted a revised code of ethics and conduct, 5 to 3. The code says trustees owe the university a duty of loyalty, should support majority decisions, and may not share confidential information, with penalties up to censure and referral to the governor. Supporters, including co-author Brianna Scott, say it reinforces existing duties and is not meant to limit speech; a third-party legal review commissioned by MSU found it similar to Wayne State's code. Opponents, including trustees Mike Balow, Rema Vassar, and Dennis Denno and the free-speech group FIRE, say it limits elected officials' speech. On June 12, the board censured Vassar and Balow, 4 to 3, for refusing to sign the code.

Kept its president

In May 2026, the board approved a new contract for President Kevin Guskiewicz through 2031, 6 to 1 with one abstention. Ten days later, Guskiewicz announced he was leaving for Clemson University and cited board dysfunction. He reversed course in July and stayed at MSU.

Raised tuition during budget cuts

On June 12, 2026, the board approved a 3.99% tuition increase and the 2026–27 budget, 4 to 2. The budget carries a deficit of more than $12 million. MSU began a two-year, 9% general fund cut in 2025, citing federal research cuts and uncertain state funding; by October 2025, 74 federal grants had been terminated, a projected loss of about $104 million.

Faced a faculty vote of no confidence

In July 2026, MSU faculty voted no confidence in the board, 1,199 to 120. A separate no-confidence vote in President Guskiewicz failed, 522 to 740. Board chair Scott said the vote did not reflect the board's dedication to the university.

Investigated its own members

In 2024, an outside investigation found that trustees Rema Vassar and Dennis Denno had violated board policies; the board censured both, censured Scott for making allegations public, and asked Gov. Whitmer to consider removing Vassar and Denno. Whitmer declined. Vassar and Denno disputed the findings.

Official source: MSU Board of Trustees | MSU Board of Trustees governance updates

 

Top issues shaping the race

All four major-party candidates say trust in the board needs repair. The sharpest difference is the board's ethics code: both Democratic incumbents support it, and both Republicans say they won't sign it as written.

Comparisons below come from the candidates' campaign websites, a State News questionnaire sent to all 10 candidates (October 7, 2026), and Detroit News candidate interviews (October 14, 2026).

Issue Democrats Republicans Shared?
Board ethics code (State News; Detroit News) Scott co-wrote the code and says it is not about limiting speech. Tebay Zemke voted for it. Both would continue to follow it. Maday won't sign it as written and would work to revise it, objecting to the "duty of loyalty." Victory won't sign it now, citing concerns about limits on elected officials' speech. Clear partisan split
Tuition and aid (Detroit News) Scott would like to pause tuition again, as the board did early in her term, if feasible. Tebay Zemke wants more state funding and a higher income limit for the Spartan Tuition Advantage. Maday would review the budget line by line and says MSU should be affordable for every Michigan student. Victory expects little new state money and would focus limited dollars on student success. Shared topic, different approaches
Board trust and conduct (Detroit News) Scott says governance has improved since 2019 but still needs work. Tebay Zemke says relations with the president have improved and calls for more transparency. Maday wants trustees more accessible to students. Victory cites his legislative experience working through disagreements. Shared topic, different approaches — all four say trust needs work.
Students and campus (Detroit News) Scott wants more access and support for low-income students and Black and brown students, and updated residence halls. Tebay Zemke wants more construction and facility upgrades. Maday wants more mental health support and fewer penalties for small things like parking tickets. Victory wants more dual enrollment and community college partnerships. Shared topic, different approaches
Agriculture and land-grant mission (Detroit News; campaign website) Not raised by either Democrat in the Detroit News interviews. Victory wants MSU to build on its agricultural heritage, including food-and-health research. Maday: not raised. Victory only

Sources: The State News, October 7, 2026 | Detroit News, "MSU board hopefuls discuss tuition, campus trust, infighting," October 14, 2026

We'll continue tracking these issues as campaigns release more information ahead of November.

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Meet the MSU Trustee Candidates

 

Brianna Scott (D)

Quick Facts
  • Website: brianna4msu.com
  • Current Job: Owner, Brianna T. Scott & Associates PLLC
  • Job Title: Chair, MSU Board of Trustees (incumbent)
  • City: Muskegon
  • County: Muskegon
Top Priorities

The priorities below are drawn from the candidate's official campaign website and reflect the issues the campaign specifically chose to emphasize.

  • Stability and integrity: Steady, ethical board governance.
  • Safety, belonging, and equity: A safe campus where every student belongs.
  • Student success: Helping students graduate and build careers.
  • Innovation and talent: Keeping MSU competitive and growing Michigan's workforce.
Endorsements
  • Michigan Democratic Party (convention endorsement, April 19, 2026)
  • Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (March 2026)
  • Michigan Education Association (September 2026)
  • AFT Michigan
  • Michigan Farm Bureau AgriPac
  • Her campaign also lists Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, former Gov. James Blanchard, AFSCME, IBEW, LIUNA, and Equality Michigan Action Network, among others.

Endorsements as of October 17, 2026.

Career

Scott has run her own Muskegon law firm, Brianna T. Scott & Associates, since 2005, after serving as Muskegon County's first African American assistant prosecutor. She was elected trustee in 2018, finishing first, and has served as board chair since January 2026.

Personal

Scott earned her bachelor's degree from MSU's Broad College of Business and her law degree from Wayne State University. She attended MSU as a young parent. Her son, Joshua, is an MSU and Wayne State Law graduate.

Race Notes

  • As an incumbent, Scott has a voting record on the board's most debated recent decisions. She co-wrote and voted for the 2026 ethics code (adopted 5–3) and voted for President Guskiewicz's 2026 contract (approved 6–1, with one abstention). In 2024, the board censured Scott for making allegations about fellow trustees public. Trustee Rema Vassar has threatened to sue university officials, including Scott, alleging retaliation; MSU has said it is prepared to respond in court.

 

Kelly Tebay Zemke (D)

Quick Facts
  • Website: kellyformsu.com
  • Current Job: Director of government and external relations, The Henry Ford
  • Job Title: MSU Trustee (incumbent)
  • City: Ann Arbor
  • County: Washtenaw
Top Priorities

The priorities below are drawn from the candidate's official campaign website and reflect the issues the campaign specifically chose to emphasize.

  • Spartan Tuition Advantage: Expand the program.
  • Room and board aid: Help students cover more than tuition.
  • Student success: Remove barriers to graduation.
  • Student health care: Make care available "wherever, whenever" students need it.
Endorsements
  • Michigan Democratic Party (convention endorsement, April 19, 2026)
  • Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (March 2026)
  • Michigan Education Association (September 2026)
  • AFT Michigan
  • Her campaign also lists state Sens. Jeff Irwin, Darrin Camilleri, and Jeremy Moss, former U.S. Rep. Andy Levin, former Lt. Gov. Mark Schauer, Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor, and Lansing Mayor Andy Schor, among others.

Endorsements as of October 17, 2026.

Career

Tebay Zemke is director of government and external relations at The Henry Ford in Dearborn and a former congressional staffer. She was elected trustee in 2018 and served as board chair in 2024–25. She serves on the board of Volunteers of America Michigan.

Personal

Tebay Zemke earned a bachelor's degree in international relations from MSU's James Madison College and a master's degree in law enforcement intelligence and analysis from MSU. She is married to Adam. She appears on the university's trustee roster as Kelly Tebay.

Race Notes

  • As an incumbent, Tebay Zemke has a voting record on the board's most debated recent decisions. She voted for the 2026 ethics code (adopted 5–3) and President Guskiewicz's 2026 contract (approved 6–1, with one abstention). She was absent for the June 12, 2026 votes on the budget and tuition and on censuring two trustees. At the April 2026 Democratic convention, she finished 0.23 percentage points ahead of state Sen. Sylvia Santana, who appealed; the party's appeals committee dismissed the appeal unanimously.

 

Julie Maday (R)

Quick Facts
  • Website: juliemadayformsu.org
  • Current Role: Member, Novi Economic Development Committee
  • Job Title: Former Novi City Council member
  • City: Novi
  • County: Oakland
Top Priorities

The priorities below are drawn from the candidate's official campaign website and reflect the issues the campaign specifically chose to emphasize.

  • Accountability and transparency: Including release of all Nassar-related documents.
  • Women in sports: Opposes men competing in women's sports.
  • Viewpoint diversity and free speech: Open debate on campus.
  • "Education, not indoctrination": A focus on teaching over advocacy.
  • No pandemic-style mandates: Opposes campus mandates like those used during COVID-19.
  • Affordability: Lower costs through spending cuts.
  • Student health and safety: More support for student well-being.
Endorsements
  • Michigan Republican Party (convention endorsement, March 28, 2026)
  • MSU Trustee Mike Balow

Endorsements as of October 17, 2026.

Career

Maday served on the Novi City Council after being appointed to a partial term ending in 2021 and served on the city's Planning Commission; she lost a 2020 council race. She now serves on the Novi Economic Development Committee. She previously worked in environmental consulting. She ran for MSU trustee in 2024 and finished third, about 4,100 votes short of a seat.

Personal

Maday earned her degree from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. She and her husband, David, an MSU graduate, have been married 30 years and have two children who attend or graduated from MSU. She is a breast cancer survivor.

 

Roger Victory (R)

Quick Facts
  • Website: rogervictoryformsu.com
  • Current Job: State senator, 31st District; owner, Victory Farms
  • Job Title: Senate Minority Whip
  • City: Hudsonville
  • County: Ottawa
Top Priorities

The priorities below are drawn from the candidate's official campaign website and reflect the issues the campaign specifically chose to emphasize.

  • Academic excellence: Strengthening MSU's academic standing.
  • Agriculture and Extension: Supporting MSU's land-grant mission and Extension services.
  • Affordability and accountability: Careful use of tuition and state dollars.
  • Transparency and trust: Restoring public confidence in the board.
Endorsements
  • Michigan Republican Party (convention endorsement, March 28, 2026)
  • Michigan Farm Bureau AgriPac (February 2026)
  • Michigan Agri-Business Association
  • Michigan Corn Growers
  • MSU Trustee Mike Balow

Endorsements as of October 17, 2026.

Career

Victory owns Victory Farms, a fourth-generation, 1,100-acre vegetable farm. He served in the Michigan House from 2013 to 2018 and has served in the state Senate since 2019; he is term-limited and leaves the Senate at the end of 2026.

Personal

Victory graduated from Davenport University and MSU's Great Lakes Leadership Academy. He has served as an elder and deacon in the Christian Reformed Church.

Other Candidates

Six smaller-party candidates are also on the ballot for MSU trustee. In the State News questionnaire, Daniel Patterson, John Anthony La Pietra, and Yaz Ozbek said they would not sign the board's ethics code as written.

Daniel R. Patterson (Libertarian)
  • City: Indian River
  • No published platform or prior candidacies found as of October 17, 2026.
Will Tyler White (Libertarian)
  • City: Bath
  • Website: willtylerwhite.org
  • Stated Priorities (campaign website): budget management, affordability, more online courses, MSU's land-grant mission, and economic development degrees.
  • Personal: White describes himself as a lifelong learner taking classes at MSU.
Janet Sanger (U.S. Taxpayers)
  • City: Litchfield
  • No published platform found as of October 17, 2026.
John Sanger (U.S. Taxpayers)
  • City: Litchfield
  • Career: Sanger ran for MSU trustee in 2018, 2020, and 2024, receiving less than 1% each time.
  • No published platform found as of October 17, 2026.
John Anthony La Pietra (Green)
  • City: Marshall
  • Career: La Pietra is an attorney. He ran for MSU trustee in 2024, receiving 1.0%, and has run for other offices.
  • Personal: He graduated from Macalester College and Cooley Law School.
Yaz Ozbek (Working Class)
  • City: Detroit
  • No published platform or prior candidacies found as of October 17, 2026.

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Wayne State University Board of Governors

 

Who's on the board now?

The board has five Democrats and three Republicans. Both seats on this year's ballot (in bold) belong to Democrats who are not running again: Vice Chair Bryan Barnhill II, whose term ends this year, and Anil Kumar, who is running for Congress.

Governor Party Role Term ends
Bryan C. Barnhill II D Vice Chair Dec. 31, 2026
Anil Kumar D Member Dec. 31, 2026
Shirley Stancato D Chair Dec. 31, 2028
Terri Lynn Land R Member Dec. 31, 2028
Marilyn Kelly D Member Dec. 31, 2030
Danielle Atkinson D Member Dec. 31, 2030
Michael Busuito R Member Dec. 31, 2032
Sunny Reddy R Member Dec. 31, 2032

President Richard A. Bierschbach serves on the board without a vote.

 

How long is the term, and are there term limits?

Governors serve eight-year terms. There are no term limits.

Source: Wayne State University Board of Governors, individual member pages, as of October 17, 2026.

 

Could this election change the board's balance?

If voters elect... New board
Two Democrats 5 Democrats, 3 Republicans (no change)
One Democrat, one Republican 4 Democrats, 4 Republicans
Two Republicans 5 Republicans, 3 Democrats

Wayne State's board is the one most likely to change hands this year. Republicans won both Wayne State seats in 2024, and the top four finishers that year were separated by about a point and a half. On a 4–4 board, no decision could pass without at least one member voting with the other party.

 

What has the board been doing?

This is not a complete list. These are some of the decisions voters have heard the most about.

Changed presidents

President Kimberly Andrews Espy resigned on September 17, 2025, citing personal reasons, after reports that the board planned to seek her departure amid faculty tensions. The board's reasons were never publicly stated. Her separation agreement included a payment of $760,449. The board named law school dean Richard Bierschbach interim president the same day and voted unanimously on February 24, 2026, to make him president through June 2030.

Raised tuition and planned a capital campaign

On June 25, 2026, the board unanimously approved a 4% tuition increase, about $250 more a year for undergraduates, and froze housing rates. It also approved the university's budget and a $1 billion fundraising campaign. Tuition rose 4.5% in 2024.

Handled the 2024 campus encampment

In May 2024, Wayne State moved classes online and then had campus police remove a pro-Palestinian encampment, with at least 12 arrests. The university said no group could claim campus space for its own use. Faculty and students criticized the response, the Wayne County Prosecutor declined to charge five protesters, and a federal free-speech lawsuit over the removal is pending. The board has not voted on a student resolution calling for divestment.

Responded to federal cuts

In April 2025, Wayne State lost more than $10 million in federal research funding when 18 grants and contracts were ended, and four international students had their visa status ended by the federal government without notice to the university.

Official source: Wayne State University Board of Governors

 

Top issues shaping the race

All four major-party candidates talk about affordability and student success. They differ in emphasis: the Democrats focus more on faculty pay and campus partnerships, and the Republicans focus more on fiscal discipline and accountability.

Comparisons below come from the candidates' campaign websites and Vote411, the League of Women Voters guide, which asked all 10 candidates the same three questions. Akeel, Mack, and Murphy answered; Anuzis did not.

Issue Democrats Republicans Shared?
Affordability (campaign websites) Akeel wants lower tuition, more aid, and low-cost course materials. Mack wants a more affordable Wayne State. Anuzis emphasizes stewardship of public resources. Murphy supports fiscal discipline, including reviewing programs and cutting offerings that don't serve students. Shared topic, different approaches — Democrats focus on aid and cost relief; Republicans focus on spending discipline.
Student success (campaign websites; Vote411) Akeel wants higher graduation and retention rates and more mental health services. Mack raised graduation rates in his Vote411 answers. Murphy wants degree-completion support and internships for upward mobility. Anuzis lists students as a top theme. Shared topic, different approaches
Faculty and staff pay (campaign websites) Akeel supports better faculty pay and stipends for graduate students. Mack supports fair pay for faculty and staff. Not raised on either Republican's campaign website. Not a true match — raised by both Democrats; not raised by either Republican.
Jobs, research, and Detroit (campaign websites) Akeel wants industry internships and research and community partnerships. Mack wants to expand Wayne State's reach in Detroit and statewide. Murphy wants workforce development tied to the university's research. Anuzis: not raised on his campaign website. Shared topic, different approaches
Campus speech (Vote411; Detroit News op-ed) Akeel supports protecting peaceful protest alongside campus safety. Mack: not raised. Murphy says free expression is central but speech that demeans groups shouldn't escape accountability. Anuzis has written in support of open campus debate. Shared topic, different approaches
Transparency (campaign websites) Akeel wants oversight of contracts and spending and public access to meetings and financials. Mack: not raised. Anuzis emphasizes accountability and transparency. Murphy supports program reviews. Shared topic, different approaches

Sources: Vote411, Wayne State Board of Governors | candidate campaign websites linked in each profile

We'll continue tracking these issues as campaigns release more information ahead of November.

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Meet the Wayne State Governor Candidates

 

Shereef Akeel (D)

Quick Facts

  • Website: akeelforwsu.com
  • Current Job: Civil rights attorney
  • Job Title: Attorney
  • County: Oakland
Top Priorities

The priorities below are drawn from the candidate's official campaign website and reflect the issues the campaign specifically chose to emphasize.

  • Affordability: Lower tuition, more financial aid, and low-cost course materials.
  • Faculty: Better pay to attract and keep faculty.
  • Career preparation: Internships with industry partners.
  • Student well-being: More mental health services.
  • Student success: Higher graduation and retention rates.
  • Graduate students: Stipends that support graduate study.
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion: Keeping DEI policies.
  • Partnerships: Research and community partnerships.
  • Oversight: Closer review of contracts and spending.
  • Openness: Public access to meetings and financial information.
Endorsements
  • Michigan Democratic Party (convention endorsement, April 19, 2026)
  • Michigan AFL-CIO (April 15, 2026)
  • Michigan Education Association (September 2026)
  • AFT Michigan
  • His campaign also lists U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, Hamtramck Mayor Adam Alharbi, and Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree, among others.

Endorsements as of October 17, 2026.

Career

Akeel is a civil rights attorney and certified public accountant. He represented Iraqi former detainees of Abu Ghraib prison who won a $42 million jury verdict against military contractor CACI in November 2024.

Personal

Akeel earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, an MBA from Wayne State University, and a law degree from the Detroit College of Law, now MSU College of Law. He lives in Oakland County. He and his wife, Dalia, have five children.

 

Richard Mack (D)

Quick Facts

  • Website: richardmackforwsu.com
  • Current Job: Attorney, Miller Cohen PLC
  • Job Title: Labor and employment attorney
  • City: Detroit
  • County: Wayne
Top Priorities

The priorities below are drawn from the candidate's official campaign website and reflect the issues the campaign specifically chose to emphasize.

  • Affordable, safe campus: A more affordable and safe Wayne State connected to Michigan.
  • Fair pay: Fair pay for faculty and staff.
  • Reach: Expanding Wayne State's presence in Detroit and across the state.
Endorsements
  • Michigan Democratic Party (convention endorsement, April 19, 2026)
  • Michigan AFL-CIO (April 15, 2026)
  • Michigan Education Association (September 2026)
  • AFT Michigan

Endorsements as of October 17, 2026.

Career

Mack is a union-side labor and employment attorney at Miller Cohen PLC in Detroit and has practiced law in Michigan since 1998. He says he served as chief counsel for a coalition of more than 25 Detroit civilian unions during the city's bankruptcy. He serves on the executive board of the 13th Congressional District Democratic Party.

Personal

Mack earned a bachelor's degree in economics and political science from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Wayne State University. He lives in Detroit.

 

Andy Anuzis (R)

Quick Facts

  • Website: andyforwaynestate.com
  • Current Job: Principal, Lincoln-King High School
  • Job Title: High school principal
  • City: Brighton
  • County: Livingston
Top Priorities

The priorities below are drawn from the candidate's official campaign website and reflect the issues the campaign specifically chose to emphasize.

Anuzis's campaign website does not include an issues page. It names these themes:

  • Students: Putting students first.
  • Accountability and transparency: Clear decisions the public can follow.
  • Stewardship: Careful use of public resources.
  • Access and excellence: Opening doors while keeping standards high.
Endorsements
  • Michigan Republican Party (convention endorsement, March 28, 2026)

Endorsements as of October 17, 2026.

Career

Anuzis is principal of Lincoln-King High School, a post he has held for five years. Before that, he was president of the Cornerstone Schools network in Detroit, spending 13 years in all with Cornerstone. Earlier, he served as a chief of staff in the Michigan House and in Congress and ran a statewide construction trade association. In August 2026, he wrote a Detroit News op-ed on free speech and open debate on campus.

Personal

Anuzis was born and raised in Detroit. He earned a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and a master's degree in educational leadership from Grand Valley State University. He and his wife, Daina, have been married 35 years and have four sons.

 

Christa Murphy (R)

Quick Facts

  • Website: murphyforwaynestate.com
  • Current Job: Strategy, Meta Reality Labs
  • Job Title: Technology executive
  • City: Bloomfield Hills
  • County: Oakland
Top Priorities

The priorities below are drawn from the candidate's official campaign website and reflect the issues the campaign specifically chose to emphasize.

  • Fiscal discipline: Reviewing programs and cutting offerings that don't serve students.
  • Workforce development: Connecting the university's research to jobs.
  • Upward mobility: Internships and support for finishing a degree.
Endorsements
  • Michigan Republican Party (convention endorsement, March 28, 2026)

Endorsements as of October 17, 2026.

Career

Murphy has worked in strategy at Meta Reality Labs since 2021. She was previously an IT director at Samsung and a general manager at General Motors. She has served on the board of Vibe Credit Union for more than 15 years. She ran for Wayne State governor in 2022 and finished third with 24.0% of the vote.

Personal

Murphy earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Wayne State University, a master's degree in information technology from Carnegie Mellon University, and an MBA from U-M's Ross School of Business.

Other Candidates

Six smaller-party candidates are also on the ballot for Wayne State governor.

Alex Avery (Libertarian)
  • City: Wyoming
  • No published platform found as of October 17, 2026.
Jami Van Alstine (Libertarian)
  • City: Woodhaven
  • Career: Van Alstine ran for the Wayne County Commission in 2020 and listed the occupation of system administrator.
  • No published platform found as of October 17, 2026.
Jeff McDonald (U.S. Taxpayers)
  • City: Gladwin
  • No published platform or prior candidacies found as of October 17, 2026.
Paul M. Ragan (Green)
  • City: Holly
  • No published platform or prior candidacies found as of October 17, 2026.
Suzanne Roehrig (Working Class)
  • City: Detroit
  • Website: workingclassfight.com
  • Stated Priorities (Vote411): Roehrig criticized the police removal of the 2024 campus protest encampment.
  • Career: Roehrig is a retired teacher and librarian. She ran for this board in 2024 and received 1.8%.
  • Personal: She holds three degrees from Wayne State University.
Kathleen Oakford (Natural Law)
  • City: Farmington Hills
  • Career: Oakford ran for this board in 2024 (0.6%) and for U-M regent in 2022 (0.6%).
  • No published platform found as of October 17, 2026.

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Where the Money Is

University board races usually draw far less money than races for governor or Congress. As of October 17, 2026, we have not found reported fundraising totals for any of the 2026 candidates in news coverage. Candidates' pre-election campaign finance reports are due October 23, and we will add the numbers once they are filed.

 

Outside spending

Outside groups can spend money on these races without coordinating with candidates. Before the Democratic convention in April, a group called Michigan Deserves Better, which does not disclose its donors, sent mailers criticizing U-M candidate Amir Makled. We have not found other outside spending in these races so far.

You can search campaign finance filings yourself through the Michigan Bureau of Elections campaign finance system.

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What Happens After Election Day?

The top two finishers for each board win. Winners take office at noon on January 1, 2027, and serve eight-year terms through January 1, 2035. There are no term limits.

New board members will step into decisions already underway: U-M's first months under President C. Cybele Raver and the Ypsilanti computing center; Michigan State's ethics code and budget deficit; and Wayne State's first full year under President Richard Bierschbach. Each board will set tuition for 2027–28 next June.

If a seat opens before a term ends, the governor of Michigan appoints a replacement, who serves until a successor is elected. The next election for these boards is in November 2028, when two more seats on each board will be on the ballot.

Learn more

U-M Board of Regents | MSU Board of Trustees | Wayne State Board of Governors

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How to Vote in Michigan

Knowing who's running is only half the equation. Here's how to make sure your vote actually counts on November 3rd (general election).

For each university board, you may vote for up to 2 candidates. You can choose candidates from different parties.

 

Look up your personal voter information

The Michigan Voter Information Center has everything you need in one place. Enter your information at mvic.sos.state.mi.us and you'll see:

  • Whether you're registered to vote
  • Your polling location on Election Day
  • Your early voting location and hours
  • Your absentee ballot status
  • Your drop box locations
  • All of your voting districts — county, state house, state senate, U.S. Congress, school board, and more
  • Your local clerk's contact information

 

Key dates

  • October 19: Last day to register online or by mail
  • October 20 through Election Day: Register in person at your local clerk's office, with proof of residency
  • October 24 through November 1: Statewide early voting period (check MVIC for your location and hours)
  • October 30: Last day to request an absentee ballot online or by mail
  • November 2, 4 p.m.: Last day to request an absentee ballot in person at your clerk's office
  • General Election: November 3, 2026. Absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m.

Not registered? You can register online at mvic.sos.state.mi.us if you have a Michigan driver's license or state ID, by mail, or in person at your local clerk's office. If you're registering within 14 days of an election, you must do so in person.

Voter information is maintained by the Michigan Secretary of State. Contact your local clerk if you have questions about your specific situation.

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More Articles & Resources

We don't pick sides; we pull the sources together so you can read for yourself.

Voter Guides & Election Trackers

  • Michigan Public — Candidate interviews for U-M regent, part of a series on all three university boards. michiganpublic.org
  • Vote411 (League of Women Voters) — Candidates' answers to the same questions. vote411.org
  • The State News — MSU trustee candidate questionnaire. statenews.com
  • The Michigan Daily — Interviews with U-M regent candidates. michigandaily.com
  • Votebeat / Bridge Michigan — Statewide guide to Michigan's November ballot. votebeat.org
  • WDET 101.9 FM — 2026 Voter Guide. wdet.org/2026voterguide

In the News

  • Bridge Michigan, "Who's running for University of Michigan, MSU and Wayne State boards" bridgemi.com
  • WGVU, "Plan to fire MSU, U-M, WSU board members fails in House," June 4, 2026 wgvunews.org
  • Michigan Advance, "Michigan Democrats finalize nominations," August 30, 2026 michiganadvance.com

More from Michigan Women

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If you found this guide helpful, you can help make sure the next voter finds it too.

Your support helps Michigan Women research statewide races, publish free voter guides, explain complex ballot issues, interview candidates, and expand civic education into more Michigan communities—all without subscriptions or paywalls.

 

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Key Sources

Law and official records
University of Michigan
Michigan State University
Wayne State University
Statewide

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