The Senate Elections and Ethics Committee heard testimony on Wednesday on a package of bills that would move Michigan’s primary elections from early August to early May starting in the 2027 election cycle.
Melanie Ryska, city clerk of Sterling Heights, said that these changes would be extremely beneficial for election administrators, who currently have less than 100 days between the August primary and November general election. In that time, clerks must complete canvassing certification, finalize ballot content, test voting equipment, and print and proof ballots.
“Michigan clerks are known for making the impossible happen. We will do what it takes to meet deadlines, serve voters and deliver accurate results,” she said. “But the legislature should not have to rely on miracles as an election administration strategy, especially when the law includes important safeguards and options that require time to carry out properly.”
State Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), the sponsor of the primary bill in the package, SB 691, said that in talking to county clerks, he had been told that from their perspective May was an ideal time to host primaries, especially given other changes to Michigan election laws on early voting.
“We have really consolidated a lot of activity, especially with our move ups of early voting and absentee voting. All those have now added additional pressures to our local clerks,” Singh said.
“There are 11 other states that do their elections in May, and our two sister states right below us, Ohio and Indiana, both do their elections on the first Tuesday of May,” he added. “We’ll be aligned with them.”
Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) testifies to the Senate Elections and Ethics Committee
Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) testifies to the Senate Elections and Ethics Committee on a bill package to move Michigan’s primary elections to May. Feb. 11, 2026. | Photo by Katherine Dailey/Michigan Advance.
Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) said that she would likely support the bills, but asked how an earlier primary date in May might impact grassroots candidates who would focus energy on in-person door knocking as opposed to courting major donors.
It’s unclear what the future will hold for these bills should they pass through the committee and the full Senate — House Speaker Matt Hall has not said whether or not he would support this legislation, though he said in October that he would not support moving the primary to May if it went into effect in 2026.
Two of the bills in the package are sponsored by Sen. Ed McBroom (R-Waucedah), who sits on the Elections and Ethics committee and was present on Zoom for the hearing.