Michigan Voters Decide on Local Millages and Primary Candidates

Voters across Michigan participated in primary elections on August 4 and 5, 2026, deciding on a series of critical funding proposals and legislative candidates. In Kalamazoo County, voters approved an eight-year, half-mill tax to fund childcare for children through age 5 and renewed a 0.36-mill tax for on-demand transit services. The childcare measure is expected to generate over $6 million in its first year.

In other regions, voters weighed multiple emergency and infrastructure millages. Cass County and Eaton County considered renewals for 911 dispatch services, while Berrien County voted on a 10-year renewal for the Southwest Michigan Regional Airport. In mid-Michigan, Ingham County voters considered increasing the short-term hotel tax from 5% to 8%, and Lansing voters decided on the sale of the Lansing Shuffle property. Additionally, regional voters considered a four-year millage to provide $15 million annually for the Capital Area District Libraries.

On the candidate front, Sean McCann won the Democratic primary for the 4th Congressional District, while Republican incumbent Bill Huizenga secured his party's nomination. In the 41st state House district, Jen Strebs won the Democratic primary. Local officials reported an increase in early in-person voting in Kalamazoo County, with 2,600 ballots cast compared to approximately 1,000 in 2024.