This guide was updated with additional information on 11.3.24.

Michigan voters once again find themselves at the center of national politics, with the potential to decide the winner of the U.S. Presidential race and which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. This year’s election could also flip control of the Michigan Legislature, where Democrats currently hold a slim majority.

The 2024 Michigan election could have profound environmental consequences. If Michigan lawmakers fail to move on issues like water affordability and “polluter pay” legislation in the lame-duck period after the election, Democratic control may be needed to advance these issues in the next term.

At the federal level, a future Donald Trump administration could return to the environmental rollbacks from his first term. Trump might also adopt parts of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 plan for restructuring the executive branch, which calls for repealing federal climate legislation and weakening rules for toxic PFAS chemicals.

The following guide highlights candidates’ positions on environmental issues in key races, focusing on Southeast Michigan. It also looks at ballot measures that have environmental or public health implications.   

Table of Contents

Voting basics

When do I vote?

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Voters approved several changes to the election process in 2022, including allowing for a minimum of nine days of early, in-person voting. Early voting ends on the Sunday before the election. You can enter your address to find your early voting locations here.

How do I register to vote?

You are eligible to vote if you are a U.S. citizen who will be at least 18 years old on Election Day, a Michigan resident upon registration, a resident of your city or township for at least 30 days at the time of voting, and not currently serving a jail or prison sentence. You can pre-register to vote as long as you will be 18 on Election Day.

To find out if you are registered to vote, enter your name and personal information on the Michigan Secretary of State website.

You can register to vote online. However, if you register within 14 days of the election, you will need to do so in person at your local clerk’s office.

To register, you must provide proof of where you live. Acceptable documents include a Michigan driver’s license or state ID, current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document. If you register within 14 days of the election, electronic proof of residency is acceptable, i.e. the utility bill on your phone.

Where do I vote?

The Secretary of State’s website provides information on your polling place, the nearest drop box, a sample ballot and other key information.

The city of Detroit has 14 early voting sites. These sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 19 through Nov. 3, and voters will find booths and tabulators just as they would on Election Day.

Voters outside of Detroit can find their early voting sites here.

What if I want to vote absentee?

You can apply online for an absentee ballot any time before 5 p.m. on the Friday before the Michigan election. However, the Secretary of State’s office recommends going in person to your local clerk’s office if you’re requesting it on Oct. 22 or later.

You can request an absentee ballot in person at the clerk’s office until 4 p.m. on the day before the election.

Your completed ballot must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Don’t forget to sign the back of the envelope when returning your absentee ballot.

You can find the location of nearby ballot drop boxes by entering your address on the Michigan Secretary of State’s website.

The Detroit Free Press provides more information about voting absentee here.

Do I need an ID to vote?

A photo ID is not a requirement for voting. However, you will be asked to show a photo ID at the polls. A driver’s license or state ID, passport, military ID, student ID from a high school or accredited college, tribal ID, or any other state or federal government-issued ID can be used.

If you don’t have an ID, you will need to sign an affidavit saying you are not in possession of a photo ID.

Can I vote a split ticket in the general election?

Unlike the primary election, Michigan voters have the option to vote “split ticket” in the general election, meaning they can vote for candidates from any party.

You can also choose the “straight ticket” option at the top of the ballot if you want to cast your vote for only Republicans or only Democrats in the election.

What ballot measures should I know about?

Unlike recent general elections where Michiganders voted on big issues like abortion rights or marijuana legalization, there are no statewide ballot initiatives this year. However, voters will see a few local ballot questions of environmental significance.

Oakland County parks millage

Oakland County voters will consider a millage increase to support parks, trails, conservation and recreation programs. The increase would generate $24 million annually. If approved, the millage would add $40 in annual property taxes, on top of the $30 charge from the existing millage, for those with a house with a taxable value of $133,000.  

Ann Arbor sustainable energy utility ballot proposal

A ballot proposal in Ann Arbor would establish an optional public utility, which could save residents money on their energy bills if they opt-in. The utility would allow private citizens to share power generated through rooftop solar with their neighbors, which is otherwise prohibited by Michigan law. It could also allow for community solar projects, where residents subscribe to offsite solar arrays and receive bill credits for the energy produced.

What do I need to know about local water commissioner races?

This year, several local elections could shape how local communities and the state approach water affordability, environmental justice, and water pollution. Here’s a look at two key races.

Jim Nash (D) v. Steve Johnson (R)

Current commissioner Jim Nash faces a challenge from Steve Johnson for Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner.

Johnson has a corporate management and business development background and he has suggested providing a base amount of water at limited or no cost and steeply increasing rates after that. This proposal was challenged by Jeremy Orr, director of litigation and advocacy partnerships for the nonprofit Earthjustice, who said affordability advocates try to avoid any restrictions on water because it’s necessary for hygiene and public health. (Editor’s note: Orr is a Planet Detroit advisory board member.)

Nash has been a key supporter of proposed water affordability legislation that would tie water bills to income, implement shutoff protections, and assist with past-due bills and plumbing repairs. The Michigan Sierra Club endorses Nash.

Candice Miller (R) v. Kevin Higgins (D)

Incumbent and former U.S. Representative Candice Miller faces a challenge from Kevin Higgins for Macomb County Public Works Commissioner.

Higgins, a realtor and member of the Warren Zoning Board of Appeals, supports proposed statewide water affordability legislation and wants to ensure residents have safe drinking water and prevent sewer backups.

Miller said she wants to continue extensive work rehabilitating sewers and working to prevent sewage overflows from entering local waterways. She has challenged statewide water affordability legislation, arguing communities should be able to opt out of participating.

What state races should I know about?

A full list of national, state and local races from the Michigan Secretary of State’s office can be found here. Below are some state races that are likely to be competitive, with a focus on contests in Metro Detroit.

Michigan House

District 31: Reggie Miller (D-Van Buren Township) v. Dale Biniecki (R)

Incumbent Reggie Miller is facing Dale Biniecki in an election for the district that includes the Wayne Disposal facility in Van Buren Township, which has received over 300,000 cubic yards of radioactive waste.

Miller has introduced legislation to block in-state and out-of-state radioactive waste from being disposed of in Michigan.

Meanwhile, Biniecki, a Republican from Rainsville Township, has focused on another hot-button environmental issue. He’s criticizing Democrats for passing Michigan’s 2023 renewable energy package, which gave the state the final say on permitting large renewable energy developments.

Biniecki wants to give local communities the last word in permitting wind and solar projects. Miller said she fought for an amendment to the renewable energy legislation to ensure developers first sought approval for renewable energy projects from local governments. She said the legislation was about protecting farmers’ rights to use their property for renewable energy.

District 27: Jamie Churches (D-Wyandotte) v. Rylee Linting (R)

Wyandotte incumbent Jaime Churches is facing Rylee Linting in a closely watched Downriver race. A 36-year-old former teacher and union vice-president, Churches won her seat by just 660 votes in 2022.

Churches supports the Taking Back Our Power Coalition’s effort to bar utilities like DTE Energy from making political donations. She also backs polluter pay legislation to require companies like BASF to clean up pollution.

Rylee Linting has mostly avoided policy discussions. Her website says she wants “lower taxes,” “less government,” and “more freedom.” 

Linting, who is 22, works as a field representative for Turning Point Action, a conservative youth organization whose leader Charlie Kirk has trafficked in racism. She attended Grand Valley State University, but did not graduate. While there she said she “faced indoctrination, vaccination mandates and woke student culture.”

District 28: Jamie Thompson (R-Brownstown Township) v. Janise O’Neil Robinson (D)

Incumbent Republican Jamie Thompson is facing a potentially strong challenge from Democrat Janise O’Neil Robinson for the seat she won by just 735 votes in 2022.

Thompson, a former nurse, received a 25% out of 100 score from the Michigan League of Conservation Voters for her first term. She voted for Michigan’s “filter first” legislation to protect children from lead in drinking water at schools and daycare centers, but opposed Michigan’s 2023 renewable energy legislation.

Robinson, a special education teacher, has prioritized environmental issues like reinstating polluter pay laws and pushing back on DTE Energy’s political spending. However, Planet Detroit found many voters in the Downriver district were primarily concerned with economic issues like housing costs, taxes and gas prices. Robinson has emphasized the potential for renewable energy to create jobs and promises to bring more state funding to the district. 

District 58: Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights) v. Ron Robinson (R)

Nate Shannon, a former teacher, is serving his third term in the legislature. His website lists environmental priorities like requiring polluters to pay for cleanups and increasing penalties for oil spills in the Great Lakes and fines for industrial air pollution.

Ron Robinson is a veteran and a member of the Utica City Council. His website says he wants to keep Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac open. He looks to lower energy costs for ratepayers by reducing government regulation and increasing competition.

District 61: Denise Mentzer (D-Mt. Clemens) v. Robert Wotjowicz (R)

Denise Mentzer is serving her second term in the legislature, winning her last election with 52% of the vote. She lists upgrading water infrastructure, including replacing old pipes and upgrading water treatment facilities, as priorities.         

Robert Wotjowicz’s website doesn’t identify any environmental priorities.

District 54: Donni Steele (R-Orion Township) v. Shadia Martini (D)

Donni Steele, an incumbent, who was formerly a trustee for Orion Township and a realtor doesn’t list any environmental priorities on her website. The Michigan League of Conservation Voters says Steele has a 7% environmental voting record, meaning she has cast one vote that they consider protective of the environment and 13 that were not.

Shadia Martini also has experience in real estate and lists climate action and protecting democracy as priorities. MLCV and Michigan Sierra Club endorsed Martini.

Mark Tisdel (R-Rochester Hills) v. Trevis Harrold (D)

Mark Tisdel is running for his third term in office, after winning the 2022 election by a 3.5 point margin. He has focused on small business and was named legislator of the year by the Michigan Retailers Association in 2023. He has a 29% lifetime score from MLCV.

Trevis Harrold is a U.S. Army Reserve member who previously worked at U.S. embassies in several countries. His website lists “championing environmental stewardship” as a priority, with protecting the Great Lakes and climate action identified as top concerns. He is endorsed by MLCV.

Michigan Supreme Court

Andrew Fink (Republican-nominated) v. Kimberly Ann Thomas (Democratic-nominated)

Andrew Fink is serving his second term in the Michigan House and is running for an eight-year term on the Michigan Supreme Court. He has a 19% lifetime score from MLCV. He is endorsed by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and former Michigan Gov. John Engler.

Kimberly Ann Thomas works as a professor at the University of Michigan Law School and director of the university’s Juvenile Law Clinic. She is endorsed by MLCV, Clean Water Action Michigan and Voters Not Politicians.

Justice Kyra Harris Bolden (Democratic-nominated) v. Patrick William O’Grady (Republican-nominated)

Incumbent Kyra Harris Bolden is seeking a four-year term on the bench after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer nominated her to replace retiring Chief Justice Bridget McCormack in 2023. Bolden is endorsed by MLCV and the Anishinaabek Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party.

Patrick William O’Grady is a former assistant prosecutor and Michigan State Police officer. He is endorsed by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich and Ted Nugent.

What national races should I know about?

U.S Senate

Elissa Slotkin (D) v. Mike Rogers (R)

U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin is running against former congressman Mike Rogers for the seat being vacated by Debbie Stabenow (D). Rogers has made electric vehicles an issue in the election, arguing that EVs are hurting American jobs. Research doesn’t support this argument, with studies showing EV production requires as much or more labor as manufacturing gas vehicles.

Environmental issues have otherwise played a small role in the race, which has largely focused on topics like abortion and the economy. However, the outcome of the race and control of the Senate could influence environmental policy.

Democratic control of the Senate could serve as a check if former President Donald Trump wins the election and seeks to adopt some of the Project 2025’s proposals like repealing the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

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Elissa Slotkin highlights few environmental priorities on her website, but it mentions support for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, investing in water infrastructure and removing lead pipes. She has previously spoken about addressing PFAS contamination and preventing water diversions from the Great Lakes. She has a 98% lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters.

U.S. House

John James (R-Shelby Township) v. Carl Marlinga (D)

Incumbent John James is running to protect his seat, which includes southern Macomb County and parts of Oakland County. The district has a Republican lean, according to The Cook Political Report. However, Carl Marlinga lost to James by only half a percentage point two years ago.

James has challenged the Biden administration on its border and electric vehicle policies. LCV gave James a 13% score for his first year in office.

Marlinga is a former Macomb County prosecutor and judge. His website lists protecting the Great Lakes and strengthening the Environmental Protection Agency as priorities. The Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund and Sierra Club endorsed Marlinga.

U.S. President

Vice President Kamala Harris is challenging former president Donald Trump for the presidency. The outcome of this contest could have profound consequences for climate action, environmental protection and democracy itself.

Trump has repeatedly referred to climate change as a “hoax” and pulled the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement. The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 plan for a Trump administration looks to eliminate clean energy programs, increase gas and oil drilling on public lands, cut environmental justice initiatives and limit environmental enforcement. Trump has repeatedly distanced himself from Project 2025, although staffers from his previous administration wrote significant portions of the plan.

Meanwhile, the Biden/Harris administration passed the bipartisan infrastructure law and Inflation Reduction Act, which provide funding for clean energy, transit, energy efficiency, and polluted site cleanups. Project 2025 looks to repeal both pieces of legislation.

However, the Biden/Harris administration has also overseen a record boom in oil drilling, a primary driver of the climate crisis.

Environmental advocates have expressed concern about Trump’s repeated attacks on the democratic process, including a pledge to be a “dictator,” albeit only on “day one,” if elected.

Sean McBrearty, Michigan chapter director for the nonprofit Clean Water Action, previously told Planet Detroit that the Flint water crisis showed what happens when democracy is undermined, pointing out that it was a state-appointed emergency manager who decided to switch to improperly treated Flint River, leading to widespread lead poisoning in the city.

“The Flint water crisis really showed what happens when you take democracy away from the people and then put unaccountable, unelected bureaucrats in charge,” he said.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Carl Marlinga had been endorsed by the Natural Resources Defense Council. He was endorsed by the NRDC Action Fund.

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Brian Allnutt is a senior reporter and contributing editor at Planet Detroit. He covers the climate crisis, environmental justice, politics and open space.