Year | Republican / Whig | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 2,649,864 | 47.77% | 2,804,045 | 50.55% | 93,277 | 1.68% |
2016 | 2,279,543 | 47.25% | 2,268,839 | 47.03% | 276,160 | 5.72% |
2012 | 2,115,256 | 44.58% | 2,564,569 | 54.04% | 65,491 | 1.38% |
2008 | 2,048,639 | 40.89% | 2,872,579 | 57.33% | 89,388 | 1.78% |
2004 | 2,313,746 | 47.81% | 2,479,183 | 51.23% | 46,323 | 0.96% |
2000 | 1,953,139 | 46.14% | 2,170,418 | 51.28% | 109,154 | 2.58% |
1996 | 1,481,212 | 38.48% | 1,989,653 | 51.69% | 377,979 | 9.82% |
1992 | 1,554,940 | 36.38% | 1,871,182 | 43.77% | 848,551 | 19.85% |
1988 | 1,965,486 | 53.57% | 1,675,783 | 45.67% | 27,894 | 0.76% |
1984 | 2,251,571 | 59.23% | 1,529,638 | 40.24% | 20,449 | 0.54% |
1980 | 1,915,225 | 48.99% | 1,661,532 | 42.50% | 332,968 | 8.52% |
1976 | 1,893,742 | 51.83% | 1,696,714 | 46.44% | 63,293 | 1.73% |
1972 | 1,961,721 | 56.20% | 1,459,435 | 41.81% | 69,169 | 1.98% |
1968 | 1,370,665 | 41.46% | 1,593,082 | 48.18% | 342,503 | 10.36% |
1964 | 1,060,152 | 33.10% | 2,136,615 | 66.70% | 6,335 | 0.20% |
1960 | 1,620,428 | 48.84% | 1,687,269 | 50.85% | 10,400 | 0.31% |
1956 | 1,713,647 | 55.63% | 1,359,898 | 44.15% | 6,923 | 0.22% |
1952 | 1,551,529 | 55.44% | 1,230,657 | 43.97% | 16,406 | 0.59% |
1948 | 1,038,595 | 49.23% | 1,003,448 | 47.57% | 67,566 | 3.20% |
1944 | 1,084,423 | 49.18% | 1,106,899 | 50.19% | 13,901 | 0.63% |
1940 | 1,039,917 | 49.85% | 1,032,991 | 49.52% | 13,021 | 0.62% |
1936 | 699,733 | 38.76% | 1,016,794 | 56.33% | 88,571 | 4.91% |
1932 | 739,894 | 44.44% | 871,700 | 52.36% | 53,171 | 3.19% |
1928 | 965,396 | 70.36% | 396,762 | 28.92% | 9,924 | 0.72% |
1924 | 874,631 | 75.37% | 152,359 | 13.13% | 133,429 | 11.50% |
1920 | 762,865 | 72.76% | 233,450 | 22.27% | 52,096 | 4.97% |
1916 | 339,097 | 52.09% | 286,775 | 44.05% | 25,101 | 3.86% |
1912 | 152,244 | 27.63% | 150,751 | 27.36% | 247,981 | 45.01% |
1908 | 335,580 | 61.93% | 175,771 | 32.44% | 30,479 | 5.63% |
1904 | 364,957 | 69.51% | 135,392 | 25.79% | 24,678 | 4.70% |
1900 | 316,269 | 58.10% | 211,685 | 38.89% | 16,425 | 3.02% |
1896 | 293,336 | 53.77% | 237,166 | 43.47% | 15,083 | 2.76% |
1892 | 222,708 | 47.79% | 201,624 | 43.26% | 41,713 | 8.95% |
1888 | 236,387 | 49.73% | 213,469 | 44.91% | 25,500 | 5.36% |
1884 | 192,669 | 48.02% | 189,361 | 47.20% | 19,156 | 4.77% |
1880 | 185,335 | 52.49% | 131,597 | 37.27% | 36,147 | 10.24% |
1876 | 166,901 | 52.41% | 141,685 | 44.49% | 9,864 | 3.10% |
1872 | 138,758 | 62.66% | 78,551 | 35.47% | 4,146 | 1.87% |
1868 | 128,560 | 56.98% | 97,060 | 43.02% | 0 | 0.00% |
1864 | 79,149 | 53.60% | 68,513 | 46.40% | 0 | 0.00% |
1860 | 88,450 | 57.23% | 64,889 | 41.99% | 1,210 | 0.78% |
1856 | 71,762 | 57.15% | 52,139 | 41.52% | 1,660 | 1.32% |
1852 | 33,860 | 40.83% | 41,842 | 50.45% | 7,237 | 8.73% |
1848 | 23,947 | 36.80% | 30,742 | 47.24% | 10,393 | 15.97% |
1844 | 24,375 | 43.72% | 27,737 | 49.75% | 3,639 | 6.53% |
1840 | 22,933 | 51.71% | 21,096 | 47.57% | 321 | 0.72% |
1836 | 5,545 | 43.78% | 7,122 | 56.22% | 0 | 0.00% |
The politics of Michigan, a competitive state that leans Democratic in presidential elections, are divided. Michigan is considered part of the Democrats' "Blue Wall." [2] Governors since the 1970s have alternated between the two parties, and statewide offices including attorney general, secretary of state, and senator have been held by members of both parties in varying proportions, though the state currently is represented by two Democratic U.S. Senators and Democrats hold every statewide office. The Democratic Party has a slim majority of two seats in the Senate of the Michigan Legislature, and the House is currently deadlocked at 54 seats for each party. The state's congressional delegation is commonly split, with one party or the other typically holding a narrow majority, and Democrats currently have a 7-6 majority.
The state has historically been a bellwether having voted for the national winner all but six times since 1920, with the exceptions of 1940, 1948, 1968, 1976, 2000, and 2004. It currently has the longest active bellwether streak, tied with Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, going back to the 2008 election. Prior to being a swing state, it was a Republican stronghold, voting Republican all but once from 1856 to 1928, with the lone expectation being a Progressive victory in 1912. [3]
Republican strongholds of the state include the rural areas in Western and Northern Michigan, the Upper Peninsula, Livingston County, and (historically) the outer suburbs of Grand Rapids, although redistricting after the 2020 census and shifting demographics has led many political observers to call the Grand Rapids suburbs a "toss-up" in future elections. [4] Areas of Democratic strength include the cities of Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Flint, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and Muskegon, as well as many of those cities' inner ring suburbs (all major urban centers). Much of suburban Detroit—which includes parts of Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne counties—is politically competitive between the two parties.
Historically, the first county-level meeting of the Republican Party took place in Jackson on July 6, 1854, [5] and the party thereafter dominated Michigan until the Great Depression. In the 1912 election, Michigan was one of the six states to support progressive Republican and third-party candidate Theodore Roosevelt for president after he lost the Republican nomination to William Howard Taft.
Michigan remained fairly reliably Republican at the presidential level for much of the 20th century. It was part of Greater New England, the northern tier of states settled chiefly by migrants from New England who carried their culture with them. The state was one of only a handful to back Wendell Willkie over Franklin Roosevelt in 1940, and supported Thomas E. Dewey in his losing bid against Harry S. Truman in 1948.
Michigan went to the Democrats in all three presidential elections during the 1960s but voted for the Republican candidate in every election from 1972 to 1988, including "native son" Gerald Ford in 1976. Since 1992 it has supported the Democrats by moderate margins, except for a narrow win by Donald Trump in 2016, which was the closest election in the state's history. In 2020, Joe Biden won it back by 2.8 points.
Michigan was the home of Gerald Ford, the 38th president of the United States. Born in Nebraska, he moved as an infant to Grand Rapids. [6] [7] The Gerald R. Ford Museum is in Grand Rapids, and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library is on the campus of his alma mater, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Michigan's United States Senator Thomas W. Ferry, was President pro tempore of the United States Senate from March 9, 1875 – March 17, 1879. Vice President Henry Wilson died on November 22, 1875. Ferry, being President pro tempore of the Senate, was next in the line of presidential succession, and remained so until March 4, 1877. While the title "Acting Vice President" isn't defined in the Constitution, the title was widely used at the time (including by Ferry himself). [8] [9]
In 1846, Michigan became the first state in the Union, as well as the first government in the world, to abolish the death penalty. [10] [11] Historian David Chardavoyne has suggested the movement to abolish capital punishment in Michigan grew out of enmity toward Canada, which made public executions a regular practice under British rule.
While Michigan remained competitive in 2020, Democratic nominee Joe Biden's strength with traditional Democratic constituencies such as Black voters (93% to Trump's 6%) [12] and organized labor (56% to Trump's 42%) [12] and increased voter turnout in Detroit and its wealthy suburbs helped tip the state in his favor. [13]
Michigan approved plans to expand Medicaid coverage in 2014 to adults with incomes up to 133% of the federal poverty level (approximately $15,500 for a single adult in 2014). [14]
In 2018, the state electorate passed proposals to create an independent redistricting commission, [15] and to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. [16] [17] [18]
In 2020, voters approved two ballot measures, one to increase the limit of money from sales of gas and oil from state-owned land that can benefit state parks, and another to require a warrant for search or seizure of electronic data and communications. [19] [20]
In 2022, voters considered three ballot proposals. Proposal 22-1 would require annual public financial disclosure reports from legislators and other state officials. It would also limit state legislators to a total term of 12 years, in any combination between the house and senate. Proposal 22-2 would add provisions to the constitution about conducting elections, including measures to recognize the right to vote without harassment and to require nine days of early voting and state-funded absentee-ballot drop boxes, among others. Proposal 22-3 would establish a new individual right to reproductive freedom, including the right to make all decisions about pregnancy and abortion. It also would forbid prosecution of any individual exercising that right. [21] All three ballot proposals passed with significant support. [22] [23]
Following each decennial census, the Michigan Redistricting Commission forms to realign the districts. Michigan currently has 13 House districts In the 118th Congress, 7 of Michigan's seats are held by Democrats and 6 are held by Republicans. There are as follows:
Michigan's two United States Senators are Democrats Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, serving since 2001 and 2015, respectively.
Michigan is part of the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in the federal judiciary. The district's cases are appealed to the Cincinnati-based United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
The 1976 United States presidential election was the 48th quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 2, 1976. Democrat Jimmy Carter, former Governor of Georgia, defeated incumbent Republican president Gerald Ford in a narrow victory. This was the first presidential election since 1932 in which the incumbent was defeated, as well as the only Democratic victory of the six presidential elections between 1968 and 1988.
Kent County is located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the county had a population of 657,974, making it the fourth most populous county in Michigan, and the largest outside of the Detroit area. Its county seat is Grand Rapids. The county was set off in 1831, and organized in 1836. It is named for New York jurist and legal scholar James Kent, who represented the Michigan Territory in its dispute with Ohio over the Toledo Strip.
The 2004 United States presidential election in Iowa took place on November 2, 2004, as part of the 2004 United States presidential election in which all 50 states plus the District of Columbia participated. Voters chose seven electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote pitting incumbent Republican President George W. Bush and his running mate, Vice President Dick Cheney, against Democratic challenger and Senator from Massachusetts John F. Kerry and his running mate, Senator from North Carolina John Edwards. Six third parties were also on the ballot.
The Michigan Republican Party is the state affiliate of the national Republican Party in Michigan, United States, sometimes referred to as MIGOP.
The politics of the U.S. state of California form part of the politics of the United States. The politics are defined by the Constitution of California.
The 2004 United States presidential election in Virginia took place on November 2, 2004, and was part of the 2004 United States presidential election. Voters chose 13 representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.
The 2004 United States presidential election in Oklahoma took place on November 2, 2004, and was part of the 2004 United States presidential election. Voters chose seven representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.
The 2008 United States presidential election in Michigan took place on November 4, 2008. It was part of the 2008 United States presidential election which happened throughout all 50 states and D.C. Voters chose 17 representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.
The 2000 United States presidential election in Illinois took place on November 7, 2000, and was part of the 2000 United States presidential election. Voters chose 22 representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.
The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan was held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to elect the 14 U.S. representatives from the state of Michigan, a decrease of one following the 2010 United States census. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election and an election to the U.S. Senate. Primary elections were held on August 7, 2012. The filing deadline for candidates to file to run in the primary was May 15. Except for two seats, all the incumbents sought re-election. The open seats were the 5th and 11th congressional districts. Due to the loss of one seat from the 2010 census, two congressmen ran against each other.
The 2012 United States presidential election in Virginia took place on November 6, 2012, as part of the presidential election in which all 50 states plus the District of Columbia participated. Virginia voters chose 13 electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote pitting incumbent Democratic President Barack Obama and his running mate, Vice President Joe Biden, against Republican challenger and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and his running mate, Congressman Paul Ryan.
The 2018 United States elections were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. These midterm elections occurred during Incumbent Republican President Donald Trump's term. Although the Republican Party increased its majority in the Senate, unified Republican control of Congress and the White House was brought to an end when the Democratic Party won control of the House of Representatives in what was widely characterized as a "blue wave" election as Democrats also gained governorships and other state offices, and state legislative chambers as well.
The 1980 United States presidential election in Vermont took place on November 4, 1980, as part of the 1980 United States presidential election which was held throughout all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Voters chose three representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president. Vermont voted for the Republican nominee Ronald Reagan of California and his running mate George H.W. Bush of Texas. Reagan took 44.37% of the vote to incumbent Democratic President Jimmy Carter’s 38.41%, a victory margin of 5.96%. Independent John Anderson took 14.90%.
The 1980 United States presidential election in Illinois took place on November 4, 1980. All 50 states and The District of Columbia, were part of the 1980 United States presidential election. State voters chose 26 electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president. This would be the last time a Democrat failed to win more than three counties as well as the last time Rock Island County voted Republican, with the county turning sharply to the Democratic party beginning with Reagan's reelection bid and continuing through to the present day.
The 2020 United States Senate election in Michigan was held on November 3, 2020, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent Michigan. It was held concurrently with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.
The 1976 United States presidential election in Illinois was held on November 2, 1976. All 50 states and The District of Columbia, were part of the 1976 United States presidential election. State voters chose 26 electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.
The 2020 United States presidential election in Michigan was held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, as part of the 2020 United States presidential election in which all 50 states plus the District of Columbia participated. Michigan voters chose electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote, pitting the Republican Party's nominee, incumbent President Donald Trump of Florida, and his running mate, Vice President Mike Pence of Indiana against the Democratic Party nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden of Delaware, and his running mate, Senator Kamala Harris of California. Michigan had 16 electoral votes in the Electoral College.
Hillary Jeanne Scholten is an American attorney and politician serving as the U.S. representative from Michigan's 3rd congressional district since 2023. The district, which was once represented by late President Gerald Ford, is based in Grand Rapids and includes much of the urban core of West Michigan. She is a member of the Democratic Party.
Michigan Proposal 18-2 was a ballot initiative approved by voters in Michigan as part of the 2018 United States elections. The proposal was created in preparation of the 2020 United States Census, to move control of redistricting from the state legislature to an independent commission. The commission consists of thirteen members selected randomly by the secretary of state: four affiliated with Democrats, four affiliated with Republicans, and five independents. Any Michigan voter can apply to be a commissioner, as long as they have not been, in the last six years, a politician or lobbyist. Proponents argued that Michigan's current districts are gerrymandered, giving an unfair advantage to one political party. Opponents argued that the process would give the secretary of state too much power over redistricting, and that the people on the commission would be unlikely to understand principles of redistricting. The proposal was approved with 61.28% of the vote.
The 2022 Michigan elections were held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 throughout Michigan. The Democratic Party made historic gains, taking full control of state government for the first time since 1983. Democrats won control of the Michigan House of Representatives for the first time since 2008, and the Michigan Senate for the first time since 1984. Additionally, incumbent Democratic governor Gretchen Whitmer won reelection by a comfortable margin, with Democrats sweeping every statewide office. Furthermore, the Democrats maintained control of seven seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, while the Republican Party took a net loss of one seat. The elections in Michigan were widely characterized as a "blue wave".