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|
| Republican Party primaries, 2020 |
| Primary Date |
| August 4, 2020 |
| Primary Runoff Date |
| N/A |
| Federal elections |
| Republican primary for U.S. Senate |
| Republican primaries for U.S. House |
| State party |
| Republican Party of Michigan |
| State political party revenue |
This page focuses on the Republican primaries that took place in Michigan on August 4, 2020. Click here for more information about the Democratic primaries.
Note that the dates and terms of participation for presidential preference primaries and caucuses sometimes differ from those that apply to primaries for state-level and other federal offices, which are the subject of this article. For more information on this state's presidential nomination process, click here.
The 2020 U.S. Senate elections in Michigan took place on November 3, 2020. Voters elected one candidate to serve in the U.S. Senate.
Republican primary candidates
Did not make the ballot:
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
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= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey



= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Eight state executive offices were up for election in Michigan in 2020: the state Board of Education (2 seats), the University of Michigan Board of Regents (2 seats), the Michigan State University Board of Trustees (2 seats), and the Wayne State University Board of Governors (2 seats).
Republican convention candidates
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Republican convention candidates
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Republican convention candidates
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Republican convention candidates
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
The terms of two Michigan Supreme Court justices expired on January 1, 2021. The two seats were up for nonpartisan election.
Republican convention candidates
Michigan Party Control: 1992-2026
Two years of Democratic trifectas • Fourteen years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.
| Year | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
| Senate | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D |
| House | D | S | S | R | R | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | R | R |
Michigan has a divided government, and no political party holds a state government trifecta. A trifecta exists when one political party simultaneously holds the governor’s office and majorities in both state legislative chambers. As of March 13, 2026, there are 23 Republican trifectas, 14 Democratic trifectas, and 13 divided governments where neither party holds trifecta control.
In the 2020 election, Republicans had a net gain of two trifectas and two states under divided government became trifectas. Prior to that election, Michigan had a divided government. There were 21 Republican trifectas, 15 Democratic trifectas, and 14 divided governments.
State political parties typically deposit revenue in separate state and federal accounts in order to comply with state and federal campaign finance laws.
The Democratic Party and the Republican Party maintain state affiliates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and select U.S. territories. The following map displays total state political party revenue per capita for the Republican state party affiliates.
A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Michigan utilizes an open primary system, in which registered voters do not have to be members of a party to vote in that party's primary. All candidates appear on the same ballot and a voter may only vote for candidates of one party at any primary.[1][2]
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.
In Michigan, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. Most of the state observes Eastern Time, while several counties observe Central Time. Anyone in line when the polls close must be allowed to vote.[3]
To vote in Michigan, a voter must be a United States citizen and a resident of their city or township for at least 30 days. Voters must be at least 18 years old by Election Day, and not be currently serving a sentence in jail or prison.[4]
Voters may register to vote online, by mail, or in person at clerk's offices in their county, city, or township, or at a state department branch office 15 days or earlier before an election.[4]
Within 14 days of an election and on Election Day, voters can register in person at their local clerk's office by presenting proof of residency documentation.[4] According to the Michigan Secretary of State's website:[4]
| “ | Proof of residency is official documentation (paper or digital) that lists a voter’s current name and address. When registering to vote within 14 days of an election, voters must present one form of proof of residency in person at a local clerk’s office. Proof of residency examples include:
|
” |
Michigan automatically registers eligible individuals to vote when they apply for or update a driver’s license or personal identification card.[6] The state sends a notice to the person afterward allowing them to decline the voter registration.
The Michigan Department of Corrections must also work with the secretary of state to automatically register individuals who are released from incarceration. The state also automatically registers individuals who apply for Medicaid coverage with the Department of Health and Human Services.[7][8]
Michigan has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.[9]
Michigan allows same-day voter registration.[4]
Michigan law requires individuals to "be a resident of their city or township for at least 30 days by Election Day to vote in that election," according to the Michigan Secretary of State's office.[4]
Michigan does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury.[10]
All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment.[11] Six states — Alabama, Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring individuals provide proof of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. Two states, Georgia and Mississippi, require a person provide proof of citizenship if their citizenship status cannot be verified by other means. One state, Ohio, requires proof of citizenship only when registering to vote at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles facility. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.
The Michigan Voter Information Center, administered by the Michigan Department of State, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.
Michigan requires voters to present photo identification while voting.[12]
The following list of accepted ID was current as of December 2025. Click here for the Michigan Secretary of State page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.
| “ |
You will be asked to show ID when you check in to vote. If you don’t have one, you can still vote.
|
” |
Voters can obtain a state identification card at a secretary of state branch office for $10. Voters over the age of 65, voters who are blind, and voters whose driving privileges have been terminated due to a physical or mental disability can obtain an identification card for free. Additionally, voters who can present a reason for having the fee waived may also obtain an ID for free. Visit the Michigan secretary of state’s page or call (888) SOS-MICH (767-6424) for more information.[13]
Michigan permits early voting. Michigan refers to early voting as early in-person voting. Early voting dates vary across the state, but must include a minimum of nine consecutive days, ending on the Sunday before an election.[14] For more information, click here.
Early voting allows citizens to cast their ballots in person at a polling place before an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee/mail-in ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.
Forty-seven states and the District of Columbia permit no-excuse early voting. Alabama, Mississippi, and New Hampshire do not offer no-excuse early voting.
Any Michigan voter can cast an absentee ballot. To vote absentee, a request must be received online or by mail no later than 5 p.m. on the Friday before the election. In-person requests can be made until 4 p.m. on the day before Election Day. Completed absentee ballots must then be received by a local clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day.[15]
Twelve of 83 Michigan counties—14 percent—are Pivot Counties. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.
| Counties won by Trump in 2016 and Obama in 2012 and 2008 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| County | Trump margin of victory in 2016 | Obama margin of victory in 2012 | Obama margin of victory in 2008 | ||||
| Bay County, Michigan | 12.55% | 5.56% | 15.31% | ||||
| Calhoun County, Michigan | 12.46% | 1.60% | 9.36% | ||||
| Eaton County, Michigan | 4.72% | 3.13% | 8.40% | ||||
| Gogebic County, Michigan | 14.80% | 8.10% | 17.27% | ||||
| Isabella County, Michigan | 3.66% | 9.28% | 19.26% | ||||
| Lake County, Michigan | 22.77% | 5.01% | 12.28% | ||||
| Macomb County, Michigan | 11.53% | 3.99% | 8.62% | ||||
| Manistee County, Michigan | 15.29% | 5.93% | 13.26% | ||||
| Monroe County, Michigan | 21.97% | 0.98% | 4.35% | ||||
| Saginaw County, Michigan | 1.13% | 11.89% | 17.34% | ||||
| Shiawassee County, Michigan | 19.59% | 3.67% | 8.59% | ||||
| Van Buren County, Michigan | 13.92% | 0.45% | 8.78% | ||||
In the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump (R) won Michigan with 47.5 percent of the vote. Hillary Clinton (D) received 47.3 percent. In presidential elections between 1836 and 2016, Michigan voted Republican 60.8 percent of the time and Democratic 34.7 percent of the time. In the five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016, Michigan voted Democratic four out of the five elections.[16]
The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state House districts in Michigan. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[17][18]
| In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 53 out of 110 state House districts in Michigan with an average margin of victory of 37.1 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 43 out of 110 state House districts in Michigan with an average margin of victory of 39.3 points. Clinton won four districts controlled by Republicans heading into the 2018 elections. |
| In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 57 out of 110 state House districts in Michigan with an average margin of victory of 12.4 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 67 out of 110 state House districts in Michigan with an average margin of victory of 21.2 points. Trump won eight districts controlled by Democrats heading into the 2018 elections. |
| 2016 presidential results by state House district | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District | Obama | Romney | 2012 Margin | Clinton | Trump | 2016 Margin | Party Control |
| 1 | 76.12% | 23.52% | D+52.6 | 74.49% | 22.85% | D+51.6 | D |
| 2 | 75.84% | 23.76% | D+52.1 | 74.45% | 22.64% | D+51.8 | D |
| 3 | 98.21% | 1.58% | D+96.6 | 96.30% | 2.42% | D+93.9 | D |
| 4 | 96.04% | 3.37% | D+92.7 | 92.77% | 5.06% | D+87.7 | D |
| 5 | 96.95% | 2.71% | D+94.2 | 93.33% | 4.83% | D+88.5 | D |
| 6 | 94.15% | 5.34% | D+88.8 | 90.29% | 7.44% | D+82.9 | D |
| 7 | 98.97% | 0.86% | D+98.1 | 96.95% | 1.74% | D+95.2 | D |
| 8 | 97.77% | 1.98% | D+95.8 | 95.72% | 2.90% | D+92.8 | D |
| 9 | 96.42% | 3.28% | D+93.1 | 93.92% | 4.34% | D+89.6 | D |
| 10 | 83.03% | 16.36% | D+66.7 | 80.28% | 16.66% | D+63.6 | D |
| 11 | 69.83% | 29.28% | D+40.6 | 60.65% | 34.79% | D+25.9 | D |
| 12 | 69.66% | 29.46% | D+40.2 | 56.96% | 38.90% | D+18.1 | D |
| 13 | 58.70% | 40.26% | D+18.4 | 47.99% | 46.73% | D+1.3 | D |
| 14 | 63.97% | 34.90% | D+29.1 | 50.54% | 44.29% | D+6.2 | D |
| 15 | 65.45% | 33.49% | D+32 | 62.76% | 31.92% | D+30.8 | D |
| 16 | 65.88% | 33.26% | D+32.6 | 56.06% | 38.69% | D+17.4 | D |
| 17 | 53.64% | 45.27% | D+8.4 | 38.41% | 56.34% | R+17.9 | R |
| 18 | 58.28% | 40.69% | D+17.6 | 50.48% | 44.92% | D+5.6 | D |
| 19 | 47.24% | 51.98% | R+4.7 | 43.64% | 51.18% | R+7.5 | R |
| 20 | 47.63% | 51.76% | R+4.1 | 49.30% | 45.76% | D+3.5 | R |
| 21 | 55.97% | 43.27% | D+12.7 | 54.96% | 40.68% | D+14.3 | D |
| 22 | 62.75% | 36.16% | D+26.6 | 50.97% | 44.23% | D+6.7 | D |
| 23 | 51.61% | 47.53% | D+4.1 | 41.73% | 53.84% | R+12.1 | D |
| 24 | 48.16% | 51.15% | R+3 | 40.03% | 55.91% | R+15.9 | R |
| 25 | 51.35% | 47.82% | D+3.5 | 42.94% | 52.49% | R+9.6 | D |
| 26 | 58.60% | 40.29% | D+18.3 | 56.27% | 37.48% | D+18.8 | D |
| 27 | 74.32% | 24.77% | D+49.6 | 71.48% | 23.39% | D+48.1 | D |
| 28 | 63.19% | 35.81% | D+27.4 | 54.82% | 40.99% | D+13.8 | D |
| 29 | 75.48% | 23.86% | D+51.6 | 69.48% | 26.66% | D+42.8 | D |
| 30 | 47.68% | 51.54% | R+3.9 | 39.34% | 57.11% | R+17.8 | R |
| 31 | 57.26% | 41.80% | D+15.5 | 47.27% | 48.11% | R+0.8 | D |
| 32 | 45.10% | 53.91% | R+8.8 | 30.78% | 64.53% | R+33.8 | R |
| 33 | 43.07% | 56.18% | R+13.1 | 32.28% | 63.80% | R+31.5 | R |
| 34 | 91.05% | 8.32% | D+82.7 | 85.10% | 12.15% | D+73 | D |
| 35 | 81.97% | 17.64% | D+64.3 | 81.81% | 15.71% | D+66.1 | D |
| 36 | 38.24% | 61.04% | R+22.8 | 30.40% | 65.42% | R+35 | R |
| 37 | 59.10% | 40.27% | D+18.8 | 60.06% | 35.59% | D+24.5 | D |
| 38 | 45.76% | 53.61% | R+7.9 | 45.77% | 49.43% | R+3.7 | R |
| 39 | 47.87% | 51.46% | R+3.6 | 45.98% | 49.67% | R+3.7 | R |
| 40 | 46.75% | 52.82% | R+6.1 | 53.61% | 42.72% | D+10.9 | R |
| 41 | 47.73% | 51.57% | R+3.8 | 48.35% | 46.97% | D+1.4 | R |
| 42 | 39.08% | 60.20% | R+21.1 | 35.20% | 59.46% | R+24.3 | R |
| 43 | 44.30% | 54.75% | R+10.5 | 37.46% | 56.79% | R+19.3 | R |
| 44 | 40.04% | 59.10% | R+19.1 | 33.95% | 60.71% | R+26.8 | R |
| 45 | 43.50% | 55.87% | R+12.4 | 43.89% | 51.48% | R+7.6 | R |
| 46 | 38.96% | 60.14% | R+21.2 | 33.28% | 61.11% | R+27.8 | R |
| 47 | 36.64% | 62.49% | R+25.9 | 29.62% | 65.24% | R+35.6 | R |
| 48 | 58.92% | 39.84% | D+19.1 | 42.94% | 51.79% | R+8.9 | D |
| 49 | 70.36% | 28.78% | D+41.6 | 62.12% | 33.46% | D+28.7 | D |
| 50 | 56.32% | 42.74% | D+13.6 | 47.23% | 47.93% | R+0.7 | D |
| 51 | 45.91% | 53.06% | R+7.1 | 35.38% | 58.95% | R+23.6 | R |
| 52 | 51.66% | 47.46% | D+4.2 | 52.00% | 42.81% | D+9.2 | D |
| 53 | 79.38% | 19.51% | D+59.9 | 84.00% | 11.95% | D+72.1 | D |
| 54 | 75.10% | 23.79% | D+51.3 | 72.03% | 23.05% | D+49 | D |
| 55 | 67.37% | 31.61% | D+35.8 | 68.76% | 26.59% | D+42.2 | D |
| 56 | 48.37% | 50.57% | R+2.2 | 35.50% | 59.23% | R+23.7 | R |
| 57 | 49.04% | 49.87% | R+0.8 | 36.78% | 57.21% | R+20.4 | R |
| 58 | 38.71% | 60.10% | R+21.4 | 26.28% | 68.98% | R+42.7 | R |
| 59 | 44.29% | 54.72% | R+10.4 | 32.68% | 61.96% | R+29.3 | R |
| 60 | 72.01% | 26.83% | D+45.2 | 69.41% | 24.00% | D+45.4 | D |
| 61 | 50.04% | 49.13% | D+0.9 | 49.18% | 44.85% | D+4.3 | R |
| 62 | 55.24% | 43.75% | D+11.5 | 46.21% | 48.51% | R+2.3 | R |
| 63 | 44.40% | 54.59% | R+10.2 | 36.73% | 57.51% | R+20.8 | R |
| 64 | 47.70% | 51.23% | R+3.5 | 39.65% | 54.58% | R+14.9 | R |
| 65 | 45.58% | 53.37% | R+7.8 | 34.34% | 59.82% | R+25.5 | R |
| 66 | 49.22% | 49.68% | R+0.5 | 40.21% | 53.57% | R+13.4 | R |
| 67 | 54.11% | 44.79% | D+9.3 | 48.13% | 45.14% | D+3 | D |
| 68 | 74.22% | 24.64% | D+49.6 | 69.86% | 24.09% | D+45.8 | D |
| 69 | 63.28% | 35.87% | D+27.4 | 65.25% | 29.76% | D+35.5 | D |
| 70 | 46.16% | 52.60% | R+6.4 | 31.66% | 61.85% | R+30.2 | R |
| 71 | 51.63% | 47.28% | D+4.4 | 45.73% | 48.08% | R+2.4 | R |
| 72 | 42.84% | 56.25% | R+13.4 | 42.15% | 51.76% | R+9.6 | R |
| 73 | 38.17% | 60.92% | R+22.8 | 38.73% | 55.53% | R+16.8 | R |
| 74 | 38.55% | 60.36% | R+21.8 | 34.41% | 58.80% | R+24.4 | R |
| 75 | 74.68% | 23.76% | D+50.9 | 72.00% | 20.81% | D+51.2 | D |
| 76 | 54.72% | 44.21% | D+10.5 | 56.22% | 36.96% | D+19.3 | D |
| 77 | 40.65% | 58.32% | R+17.7 | 39.18% | 54.16% | R+15 | R |
| 78 | 42.78% | 56.14% | R+13.4 | 35.48% | 58.95% | R+23.5 | R |
| 79 | 47.82% | 51.46% | R+3.6 | 43.78% | 51.52% | R+7.7 | R |
| 80 | 41.20% | 57.64% | R+16.4 | 34.03% | 59.93% | R+25.9 | R |
| 81 | 43.91% | 55.01% | R+11.1 | 29.26% | 65.68% | R+36.4 | R |
| 82 | 43.67% | 55.14% | R+11.5 | 28.22% | 66.56% | R+38.3 | R |
| 83 | 46.42% | 52.52% | R+6.1 | 33.33% | 60.79% | R+27.5 | R |
| 84 | 43.28% | 55.59% | R+12.3 | 28.81% | 66.70% | R+37.9 | R |
| 85 | 49.88% | 48.85% | D+1 | 35.62% | 57.97% | R+22.4 | R |
| 86 | 36.01% | 62.99% | R+27 | 34.93% | 58.61% | R+23.7 | R |
| 87 | 40.02% | 58.70% | R+18.7 | 30.07% | 63.54% | R+33.5 | R |
| 88 | 26.40% | 72.87% | R+46.5 | 25.79% | 68.49% | R+42.7 | R |
| 89 | 37.56% | 61.56% | R+24 | 36.28% | 57.85% | R+21.6 | R |
| 90 | 32.62% | 66.46% | R+33.8 | 32.75% | 60.91% | R+28.2 | R |
| 91 | 50.46% | 48.46% | D+2 | 39.61% | 54.18% | R+14.6 | R |
| 92 | 67.85% | 31.32% | D+36.5 | 58.17% | 36.52% | D+21.7 | D |
| 93 | 46.26% | 52.90% | R+6.6 | 38.97% | 55.17% | R+16.2 | R |
| 94 | 43.56% | 55.67% | R+12.1 | 37.44% | 57.65% | R+20.2 | R |
| 95 | 74.44% | 24.76% | D+49.7 | 66.46% | 29.76% | D+36.7 | D |
| 96 | 53.72% | 45.31% | D+8.4 | 43.05% | 51.44% | R+8.4 | D |
| 97 | 45.55% | 53.21% | R+7.7 | 30.25% | 65.08% | R+34.8 | R |
| 98 | 43.01% | 56.04% | R+13 | 37.35% | 55.97% | R+18.6 | R |
| 99 | 50.75% | 48.05% | D+2.7 | 40.94% | 52.83% | R+11.9 | R |
| 100 | 43.36% | 55.52% | R+12.2 | 30.44% | 64.16% | R+33.7 | R |
| 101 | 48.22% | 50.74% | R+2.5 | 40.48% | 53.98% | R+13.5 | R |
| 102 | 42.55% | 56.27% | R+13.7 | 30.87% | 63.45% | R+32.6 | R |
| 103 | 42.90% | 55.90% | R+13 | 28.62% | 66.46% | R+37.8 | R |
| 104 | 43.58% | 55.39% | R+11.8 | 40.74% | 53.27% | R+12.5 | R |
| 105 | 40.35% | 58.47% | R+18.1 | 31.11% | 63.83% | R+32.7 | R |
| 106 | 45.20% | 53.57% | R+8.4 | 32.06% | 63.22% | R+31.2 | R |
| 107 | 43.34% | 55.54% | R+12.2 | 35.33% | 58.84% | R+23.5 | R |
| 108 | 44.37% | 54.58% | R+10.2 | 32.79% | 62.29% | R+29.5 | R |
| 109 | 53.29% | 45.44% | D+7.9 | 44.75% | 48.82% | R+4.1 | D |
| 110 | 47.04% | 51.62% | R+4.6 | 37.59% | 56.55% | R+19 | D |
| Total | 54.30% | 44.79% | D+9.5 | 47.36% | 47.59% | R+0.2 | - |
| Source: Daily Kos | |||||||
2020 Elections
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