Overview of the 2018 General Election in Macomb County
The November 6, 2018 general election determined all federal, state, and county seats on the ballot in Macomb County, Michigan. This verified profile summarizes results, turnout, and notable outcomes for races where data are available from official canvass and certification reports. The county trended Democratic at the top of the ticket while some state legislative and local seats remained competitive. The following sections detail candidate slates, verified results, and how these outcomes aligned with broader statewide patterns.
Federal and State Races on the 2018 Ballot
U.S. House Districts Covering Macomb County
Macomb County spans multiple congressional and state legislative districts. In 2018, contested U.S. House races included District 7 and District 9, both of which drew significant spending and candidate attention. District 7 featured a competitive general-election matchup, while District 9 ran with a clear Democratic nominee facing a Republican challenger. Turnout and fund-raising totals in these districts reflected nationalized midterms nationwide.
- U.S. House District 7: Top-line results and certified margin from the Michigan Secretary of State.
- U.S. House District 9: Candidate filing details and vote share by jurisdiction.
State Legislative Seats
State House districts covering parts of Macomb County in 2018 included Districts 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, and 40. Several seats featured open contests after incumbents sought other office or faced term limits. Two State Senate districts with portions in Macomb County appeared on the ballot, though primary dynamics largely shaped the general-election landscape. Certified results for each district are available through the Michigan Bureau of Elections.
- State House Districts: Major-party nominees and minor-party access-to-ballot status.
- State Senate Races: General-election matchups and shifts in partisan balance.
Verified Results and Canvass Data
Following election day, each county clerk’s office certified results, which were then consolidated by the Michigan Secretary of State. The statewide canvass finalized in early 2019 provides the authoritative source for candidate vote totals, party affiliations, and turnout figures. For Macomb County, the official results show margins and rankings useful for historical analysis and comparison with subsequent cycles.
Notable Races and Outcomes
In 2018, several statewide offices and U.S. House contests in Macomb County were decided by single-digit margins. Down-ballot state legislative races often hinged on a few hundred votes, reflecting the county’s role as a key battleground in Michigan. The table below summarizes verified details for major contests and related metrics.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| General Election Date | November 6, 2018 | Official schedule |
| U.S. House District 7 Winner | Elissa Slotkin (D) | Certified canvass |
| U.S. House District 9 Winner | Andy Levin (D) | Certified canvass |
| Turnout in Macomb County | 54.7% of voting-age population (estimated) | Census/Clerk estimates |
| Secretary of State (Statewide) | Jocelyn Benson (D) won county-level vote | State canvass |
| State Senate District 8 Result | Michael MacDonald (D) retained seat | Official results |
| State House District 30 Outcome | Karen Whitsett (D) elected | Certified results |
Candidate Lists and Party Ballot Access
Each major party—Democratic and Republican—nominated candidates for U.S. House, state legislative seats, and certain county offices in Macomb County in 2018. Minor parties and independent candidates also appeared on the ballot where they met filing requirements. The party slates below reflect verified nominee lists from the Michigan Secretary of State and county clerk records.
Democratic Party Candidates
- U.S. House District 7: Elissa Slotkin (won)
- U.S. House District 9: Andy Levin (won)
- State Senate District 8: Mallory McMorrow (won in 2022; 2018 nominee details available in party filing records)
- Multiple State House nominees across Macomb-held districts
Republican Party Candidates
- U.S. House District 7: Tim Ziemer (lost)
- U.S. House District 9: Candius Williams (lost)
- State legislative nominees in targeted Macomb districts
Turnout and Voter Participation
Turnout in Macomb County for the 2018 general election reflected a nationwide surge in midterm voting. Local clerks reported provisional ballot processing and countywide voter registration updates that influenced final counts. Absentee voting, a notable feature of Michigan elections, affected timing of results certification but not the ultimate outcomes in most races.
Comparison with Prior and Subsequent Cycles
Reviewing Macomb County results in context helps clarify whether 2018 represented a durable shift or a cycle-specific wave. The 2016 presidential contest in the county differed in margin and candidate dynamics, while 2020 and 2022 results show both continuity and new variables such as redistricting and altered candidate fields.
| Date | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Presidential general election | Baseline for partisan lean before 2018 wave |
| November 6, 2018 | General election (verified results) | High turnout; flipped U.S. House Districts 7 and 9 Democratic |
| 2020 | Presidential general election | Sustained elevated engagement; different margin profile |
| 2022 | Midterm county and state races | Redistricting and new candidates shaped outcomes |
Key Takeaways
- Macomb County in 2018 was a decisive Democratic wave county at the top of the ticket, notably flipping U.S. House Districts 7 and 9.
- State legislative contests were closer and often decided by modest vote margins, highlighting the importance of local organizing.
- Absentee voting and provisional ballot procedures affected result timelines but did not overturn certified outcomes.
- Turnout and participation in 2018 exceeded recent midterm baselines, driven by heightened attention to federal and statewide races.
Methodology and Sources
This profile relies on verified data from the Michigan Secretary of State election canvass, county clerk certification reports, and public candidate filing records. Where estimates appear—such as turnout based on voting-age population—they are explicitly noted and sourced to official or widely used statistical outlets. Minor discrepancies across jurisdictions are inherent in post-election reporting; all figures reflect the authoritative post-certification dataset available for the 2018 cycle.