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The2022 Michigan elections were held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, throughoutMichigan. TheDemocratic Party made historic gains, takingfull control of state government for the first time since 1983 and marking a point where Democrats held all four elected statewide offices, both U.S. Senate seats, and both chambers of theMichigan Legislature.[1] Democratswon control of theMichigan House of Representatives for the first time since 2008, and theMichigan Senatefor the first time since 1984. Additionally, incumbent DemocraticgovernorGretchen Whitmerwon reelection by a comfortable margin, with Democrats sweeping every statewide office. Furthermore, the Democrats maintained control of seven seats in theU.S. House of Representatives, while theRepublican Party took a net loss of one seat (as the state lost one congressional seat due toreapportionment after the2020 census). The elections in Michigan were widely characterized as a "blue wave".[2][3][4]
Democrats won seven House seats in theUnited States House of Representatives, winning a majority of the House delegation to the Republicans six.
Incumbent Democratic governorGretchen Whitmer and Lieutenant GovernorGarlin Gilchrist won re-election against RepublicansTudor Dixon andShane Hernandez by a margin of 10.5%.
Incumbent Democratic secretary of stateJocelyn Benson won re-election against RepublicanKristina Karamo by a margin of 14%.
Incumbent Democratic attorney generalDana Nessel won re-election against Republican Matthew DePerno by a margin of 8.6%.
All 38 seats in theMichigan Senate were up for election in 2022. Democrats gained four seats, flipping the chamber for the first time since 1982.
All 110 seats in theMichigan House of Representatives were up for election in 2022. Democrats gained three seats, flipping the chamber for the first time since 2008.
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2 seats of theSupreme Court of Michigan | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Two seats on theMichigan Supreme Court were up for election in 2022.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Richard H. Bernstein (incumbent) | 2,120,661 | 33.90% | |
| Nonpartisan | Brian Zahra (incumbent) | 1,493,317 | 23.87% | |
| Nonpartisan | Kyra Harris Bolden | 1,368,652 | 21.88% | |
| Nonpartisan | Paul Hudson | 834,436 | 13.34% | |
| Nonpartisan | Kerry Lee Morgan | 438,595 | 7.01% | |
| Total votes | 6,255,661 | 100.0% | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Republicanhold | ||||
Just weeks after the election, Michigan governorGretchen Whitmer appointed Kyra Harris Bolden to the Supreme Court to replaceBridget Mary McCormack, who stepped down.[9]
Proposal 1, theLegislative Term Limits and Financial Disclosure Amendment, was alegislatively-referred constitutional amendment which modifiedterm limits in theMichigan state legislature. Previously, legislators were limited to serving three terms in theMichigan House of Representatives and two terms in theMichigan Senate. This proposal modified the limit to be a lifetime twelve-year limit for service across both chambers. The proposal also increased financial disclosure requirements for various elected officials.[10] The proposal passed 66–34.
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
 Yes | 2,838,540 | 66.45 |
| No | 1,433,154 | 33.55 |
| Total votes | 4,271,694 | 100.00 |
Proposal 2, theRight to Voting Policies Amendment, was a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment which changed voting procedures in the state with the intent of making it easier for citizens to vote.[11] The proposal passed 60–40.
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 2,586,255 | 59.99 |
| No | 1,725,110 | 40.01 |
| Total votes | 4,311,365 | 100.00 |
Proposal 3, theRight to Reproductive Freedom Initiative, was a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment to protect the right toabortion andcontraceptives in the state constitution.[12] The proposal passed 57–43.
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 2,482,382 | 56.66 |
| No | 1,898,906 | 43.34 |
| Total votes | 4,381,288 | 100.00 |
Issues occurred in a few locations with part of theOttawa County Clerk's office losing power and requiring a backup generator,[13] due to an error involving a construction crew that was working on nearby power lines,[14] precincts inAda Township temporarily running out of ballots,[15] tabulator jams inKent County due to ballots being marked in pen that had not dried,[16][17] and long lines as polls were closing at City Hall inGrand Rapids.[18] High turnout by college students led to long lines at polling places with polls on the campuses of theUniversity of Michigan inAnn Arbor andMichigan State University inEast Lansing staying open long after the polls closed at other places.[19]
