Troy voters will help choose Michigan's next governor on Tuesday, Nov. 3, when Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson faces Republican U.S. Rep. John James and three minor-party candidates.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer cannot run again because of term limits. Oakland County, which includes Troy, is one of six populous counties identified as important to watch as election results arrive, according to Michigan Public.

The candidates

Benson has served as Michigan's secretary of state since 2019. She won election to that office in 2018 and was reelected in 2022. Her running mate is state Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks.

James represents Michigan's 10th Congressional District and is serving his second term in the U.S. House. He is a West Point graduate and Army veteran who previously ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 2018 and 2020. His running mate is state Rep. Jay DeBoyer.

James is leaving his congressional seat to run for governor, according to Bridge Michigan.

Three other candidates appear on the Michigan Department of State's official candidate list:

  • Douglas Campbell, Green Party, with running mate Bobbie Clay
  • Anthony Hudson, Libertarian Party, with running mate Beau Parmenter
  • Donna Brandenburg, U.S. Taxpayers Party, with running mate Robert Donald Cowper II

The election will determine who succeeds Whitmer when her second term ends.

What's at stake

Affordability, health care, education and data centers have been prominent issues in the campaign, according to Bridge Michigan.

Benson has sought to link James to federal tariff policies and their effects on consumer costs. James has criticized Democratic leadership in Lansing, arguing that state energy policies have contributed to higher electricity rates.

On health care, Benson has pointed to James' congressional voting record on Medicaid and Affordable Care Act premium tax credits. James has called for greater transparency in health care pricing and changes to the regulation of pharmacy benefit managers.

The candidates also differ on education policy.

James has pledged to enroll Michigan in a federal private school choice program. Benson has proposed changing how schools are funded and establishing a minimum teacher salary of $60,000.

Data centers have also become a campaign issue. Benson has called for a statewide moratorium on new developments, while James has advocated giving local governments authority to block projects.

Polls and results

Polling places in Troy will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Michigan Department of State.

Voters who are in line by 8 p.m. may remain in line to cast their ballots.

Polling locations in most of Michigan close at 8 p.m. Eastern. Some Upper Peninsula locations operate in the Central time zone and close at 9 p.m. Eastern.

In 2022, approximately 4.5 million votes were cast in Michigan's gubernatorial election, according to Michigan Public. About 42% were cast early in person or by absentee ballot.

Michigan election officials may begin processing certain absentee ballots before Election Day. The timing of reported results varies by county.

Voters can find official election information and results through the Michigan Secretary of State's election website.

Also on the ballot

Michigan voters will also decide two statewide proposals, according to the Michigan Board of State Canvassers.

Proposal 1 asks whether Michigan should convene a constitutional convention in 2027 to draft a revised state constitution. Any proposed revision would later require voter approval.

Proposal 2 would prohibit certain regulated utilities and government contractors from making campaign contributions to candidates and officeholders whose decisions affect them. It would also expand campaign finance disclosure requirements for political communications.

Voters will decide the proposals separately from the governor's race.