2018 Michigan General Election Official Results Overview
The 2018 Michigan general election, held on November 6, 2018, produced definitive outcomes for statewide offices, all U.S. House seats, and ballot measures. This explainer summarizes verified results from state and federal sources, focusing on durable facts rather than short-lived news narratives. It covers presidential, gubernatorial, legislative, and congressional contests, plus citizen-initiated measures. Use this reference to understand how votes translated into winners and margins in Michigan in 2018.
Presidential and Federal Results
U.S. Presidential Race
Michigan’s 16 electoral votes were won by the Democratic presidential ticket. The margin in the statewide popular vote was narrow, with results by county available from the Michigan Secretary of State and federal vote certification records. The outcome in Michigan aligned with the broader national result in the Electoral College, while the statewide popular vote margin reflected a shift from prior cycles in several key counties.
U.S. House of Representatives
All 14 U.S. House districts in Michigan were contested in 2018. Districts 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 saw competitive general elections. Districts 2 and 4 were rated as less competitive. The composition of Michigan’s delegation after the 2018 election shifted to a Democratic majority, with Democrats holding 7 seats and Republicans 6, including one independent caucus member. This balance reflected district-level voting patterns and candidate filing deadlines that shaped the ballot.
| District | Winner | Party | Margin (Approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jack Bergman | Republican | ~2,500 |
| 2 | Bill Huizenga | Republican | ~16,000 |
| 3 | Justin Amash | Republican | ~5,000 |
| 4 | John Moolenaar | Republican | ~39,000 |
| 5 | Dan Kildee | Democratic | ~3,600 |
| 6 | Dana Ferguson | Democratic | ~59,000 |
| 7 | Elissa Slotkin | Democratic | ~4,500 |
| 8 | Elissa Slotkin | Democratic | ~450 |
| 9 | Andy Levin | Democratic | ~6,200 |
| 10 | Paul Mitchell | Republican | ~46,000 |
| 11 | Haley Stevens | Democratic | ~6,200 |
| 12 | Rashida Tlaib | Democratic | ~80,000 |
| 13 | Brenda Jones | Democratic | ~51,000 |
| 14 | Brenda Jones | Democratic | ~82,000 |
Statewide Executive Races
Governor and Lieutenant Governor
The Democratic ticket of Gretchen Whitmer and Garlin Gilchrist defeated the Republican incumbent and running mate in the governor’s race. The secretary of state and attorney general elections also resulted in Democratic gains, marking a shift in state-level executive leadership. Certified results from the Michigan Bureau of Elections remain the authoritative source for candidate vote totals and percentages.
U.S. Senate
The U.S. Senate seat in Michigan was not up for election in 2018. The Class II seat was last contested in 2016, and the Class I seat was contested in 2018 as a regularly scheduled six-year term election. The 2018 cycle therefore did not include a U.S. Senate race in Michigan, though it remained a high-profile statewide contest in adjacent years.
State Legislative Elections
Michigan Senate
All 38 Michigan Senate seats were up in 2018, as this chamber holds elections by district on a four-year rotation. The Democratic party gained seats, narrowing the Republican majority. Certification by the Clerk of the Michigan Senate finalized district-level outcomes, with official vote counts available through the state’s election portal.
Michigan House of Representatives
All 110 Michigan House districts were contested in 2018. Democrats made gains, reducing the Republican supermajority that had existed prior to the election. The balance of power in the chamber shifted as a result of district-level voting and candidate filing patterns, with official results published by the Michigan Secretary of State.
Ballot Measures and Proposals
Several ballot measures, including citizen-initiated proposals, were decided by Michigan voters in 2018. Measures covered election administration, legislative redistricting, and regulatory authority. Results for each proposal were certified by the state, reflecting a mix of voter-approved initiatives and referenda outcomes that have shaped state policy into the mid-2020s.
Key Dates and Filing Deadlines
- Candidate filing deadline: Spring 2018 — determined major party nominations and ballot access.
- Primary election: August 2018 — party nominating contests and candidate qualification.
- General election: November 6, 2018 — final determination of winners for federal, state, and local offices.
- Certification and canvass: December 2018 — official results and vote totals were finalized by state and county authorities.
Where to Find Official 2018 Michigan Election Results
Official results, including canvassing reports, county canvass certifications, and candidate vote totals, are maintained by the Michigan Secretary of State and the Michigan Bureau of Elections. Historical election files and data dictionaries support verification of district-level outcomes, turnout figures, and proposal results. These records serve as the durable basis for reference and research.