2026 August primary election results for the Manchester area
by Sara Swanson
Manchester area voters went to the polls yesterday to vote in the state primary election with even more voters opting to vote absentee, at least in the precincts that break out those numbers. There were three state races everyone has their eyes on, both Democratic and Republican races for governor, and the Democratic race for the US senate seat. In addition there was one contested State Senate race, and six proposals up for vote.
John James is the projected winner in the Republican primary for governor and will face Jocelyn Benson in November, the projected winner in the Democratic primary for governor. All five of Manchester area’s precinct’s Democratic voters supported Benson over Swanson. While four of the precincts’ Republican voters supported James, Bridgewater Township voters supported Perry Johnson.
The Democratic primary for US senate between Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens was too close to call at the time of publication. In November the winner will face off against Republican Mike Rogers who was unopposed in his primary. All five Manchester area precincts supported El-Sayed.
The only contested state race in our area was State Senate District 15 Democratic primary in which Felicia Brabec defeated Michael White. Bridgewater Township, Manchester Township, and the City of Manchester which are all in District 15, supported Brabec. All other state senate and state representative primaries in our area were uncontested.
All five Manchester area precincts voted on the Washtenaw Community College operating millage renewal proposal which passed overall. Manchester Township, Freedom Township and City of Manchester voters all supported the millage, but it Bridgewater Township opposed it 253 yes votes to 254 no votes, and Sharon Township opposed it 293 yes to 298 no.
Manchester area voters living in the Saline and Chelsea School districts also had proposals to vote on, the Saline Area School Sinking Fund Millage Renwal Proposal, Saline Area Schools Recreation and Playground Millage, the Saline District Library Millage Renewal, the Chelsea School District Operating Millage Renewal, and the Chelsea School District Sinking Fund Millage. All five millages passed. Bridgewater voters in the Saline School District supported all three millages while Freedom Township voters in the Saline School districts opposed them, but the yes and no vote totals were close in both cases. Chelsea School District voters in Sharon and Freedom Townships supported both Chelsea School District millages.
All five precincts had turnout ranging from 38.61% in Bridgewater Township to 43.64% Freedom Township. In all five precincts more voters opted to vote in the Democratic primary than a Republican primary. The Democratic primary did have more contested elections than the Republican primary.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login