Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, is the General Election in Michigan and across the country. This day marks the end of political commercials, but more importantly, the easiest way to participate in our democratic society -- by voting!   

Elections are an important way to make your voice heard. As an elected official, who may even be up for re-election this cycle, you can lend your voice to the process by sharing voting information with your neighbors and community and encouraging them to participate in this great democratic process. With absentee, early and in-person voting options, it really couldn’t be easier.   

With all the issues facing schools, who represents you in the Michigan Legislature and U.S. Congress becomes increasingly important. MASB encourages you to take the time to find out where your candidates stand on education and other issues that matter to you. A simple Google search for the candidate’s website is a great place to start.   

Not sure who your candidates are? Did your polling place change? Where can you vote early? You’ll find the answers to those questions and be able to view a sample ballot on Michigan’s Secretary of State website. Simply enter your name, birth month and year and zip code and it will give you polling locations, a sample ballot and anything else you need to vote this year. 

This is a busy election year in Michigan and around the country. The governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, U.S. representatives, one U.S. Senate seat and the Michigan House and Senate seats are all on the ballot. There are also regents for three university boards, two seats on the Michigan Supreme court and other local judicial seats, two seats on the State Board of Education, and local offices, including school boards, on the ballot. And that is all before you get to any local or statewide ballot initiatives!  

There are two statewide proposals that will appear on the ballot this year: 

Proposal 2026-01: Constitutional Convention  

Every 16 years Michigan voters are asked if we should have a constitutional convention to rework the Michigan Constitution. MASB has joined with a broad coalition in opposition to this proposal.  MASB believes opening the Constitution now would create chaos in government while it’s being reworked and leaves the door open for any and all special interests to influence the outcome. With many of the issues districts are facing, now is not the time to open the Constitution. We believe the harm that could come to public education outweighs any benefit of rewriting portions of the constitution.  

The Citizen’s Research Council of Michigan has published a series of papers on the various sections of the constitution.  They do not take positions on ballot initiatives but shares unbiased information voters can use to decide how to vote.  You can find the papers on the Constitutional Convention issues on their website.  

Proposal 2026-02: Mop Up Michigan Initiative   

This proposal was a citizen initiative. It received enough signatures to be approved by the Board of Commissioners to be placed on the ballot.  The proposal would amend the Michigan Campaign Finance Act to restrict political contributions by regulated utilities and some of their employees as well as any person or business that has a contract with state or local government of more than $250,000. The ban would include owners, board members or executives and their immediate family members of the contracted entity or the regulated utility. 

You can find a detailed analysis by the Citizen’s Research Council of Michigan on their website. 

There’s no rule that you must start at the top of the ballot and fill it out in order. The bottom of the ballot is just as important. Vote for the questions and candidates that matter to you the most, which may just be the last ones on your ballot, such as the school board and local tax questions. Be sure to flip your ballot over – it’s almost certainly 2 sided. 

Remember, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m on election day. Early voting runs from Oct 24 to Nov 1 and absentee ballots can be mailed ahead of time or dropped off at your local clerk’s office before 8:00 pm on November 3. 

Happy voting!