Michigan is once again a crucial battleground in the upcoming presidential election, with voters also deciding on competitive races for seats in Congress and the state House of Representatives. After narrowly voting for Donald Trump in 2016, the state swung back to Democrats in 2020 with Joe Biden winning by a margin of about 154,000 votes.
In the Senate race, Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin faces off against Republican Mike Rogers to replace Sen. Debbie Stabenow. Republicans see an opportunity to end their 24-year Senate drought in Michigan. In the state House, Democrats are defending their narrow majority. All 110 state House seats are up for election this year.
A new law allows local officials more time to process mail-in ballots, potentially avoiding the delays seen in the 2020 election. This change could lead to a quicker release of results and mitigate any claims of voter fraud. Some key counties to watch in Michigan include Wayne, Oakland, and Kent.
The AP will only declare a winner when there is no chance for trailing candidates to close the gap. Recounts are automatic in statewide races if the margin is 2,000 votes or fewer. Polls close at 8 p.m. ET, but the AP will not call a winner until all polls have closed at 9 p.m. ET. Voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election was 68%, with over half of votes cast before Election Day. With Michigan once again a pivotal state, the 2024 election is sure to be closely watched.
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