LIVE UPDATES: Election turnout expected to be around 20-23%; 100,000 Detroiters voted

August 5, 2026

Detroit held its primary election on August 4th with approximately 20-23% voter turnout, translating to just over 100,000 votes from 527,000 registered voters. The election featured major races including the Democratic gubernatorial primary where Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson competed against Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, and a U.S. Senate race between Representative Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed. Voters also decided on two significant millage proposals: one to expand Wayne County regional transit services affecting 17 communities, and another to renew Detroit Public Schools Community District's 18-mill operating levy for non-homestead properties.

Who is affected

Detroit voters and residents in 17 Wayne County communities voting on the transit millage
Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) students, staff, and non-homestead property owners (businesses and rental property owners)
Registered voters in Detroit (527,000 total)
Absentee voters (55,000 ballots being tallied with 7,000 more expected)
Poll workers at Detroit's 157 polling sites
Transit users who rely on DDOT and SMART bus systems
Job seekers without reliable transportation (specifically mentioned: 21-year-old residents like Shawntel Nelson's son)
Seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities who would benefit from expanded transit
Democratic gubernatorial candidates Jocelyn Benson and Chris Swanson
U.S. Senate candidates Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed
Communities already in the SMART system (26 municipalities)
Communities not currently in the SMART system (17 municipalities)

What action is being taken

The Detroit Department of Elections is tallying 55,000 absentee votes with an additional 7,000 expected
U.S. Department of Justice election monitors are visiting polling sites in Detroit, Hamtramck, Lansing, and East Lansing
DOJ monitors are signing into polling locations and presenting identification
The Department of Elections is operating a standard call center and a high-risk call center for poll worker concerns
Detroit voters are casting ballots on the transit millage and DPSCD operating millage proposals
Civil Rights Division personnel are accepting questions and complaints from the public related to possible violations of federal voting rights laws through Election Day on November 3, 2026

Why it matters

This election carries significant implications for Detroit's future governance, infrastructure, and education. The gubernatorial race will determine Michigan's next leader during a critical period, while the U.S. Senate race affects federal representation. The transit millage represents a potentially transformative opportunity to address Metro Detroit's inadequate public transportation system, which voters and advocates identified as a barrier to employment and regional connectivity—a critical issue for a major metropolitan area where residents currently cannot reliably travel between Detroit and surrounding counties. The DPSCD operating millage is financially critical, as failure to secure voter approval by July 1, 2027 would push the district into a $120 million deficit, severely impacting educational quality and the city's ability to attract new residents. The federal election monitoring also carries symbolic weight amid ongoing national debates about election integrity and federal versus state authority over election administration.

What's next

If the DPSCD millage fails in this election, the proposal will appear on November's ballot
If the DPSCD millage does not pass in November, the district may have to pay between $1 million and $2 million to hold a special election in May 2027
DPSCD must get voter approval to collect the operating millage by July 1, 2027, or face a $120 million deficit
Civil Rights Division personnel will continue accepting questions and complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws through Election Day on November 3, 2026
To request election monitoring in a particular jurisdiction, the public can contact VEM@usdoj.gov, and the Civil Rights Division will determine whether monitoring is warranted

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com