Michigan's open Senate race heats up as early voting nears

Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat is drawing national attention in the final weeks of the campaign, with two former presidents weighing in and more than 2 million voters already asking for mail ballots.

The seat is open because Democratic Sen. Gary Peters chose not to seek reelection. Democrat Abdul El-Sayed faces Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman.

The campaign

President Donald Trump endorsed Rogers in a video on Truth Social and sharply attacked El-Sayed, Fox News reported. At a rally at Birch Run Speedway, Rogers argued that El-Sayed's energy plans would raise utility and gas bills, according to Fox. Former President Barack Obama is scheduled to campaign with El-Sayed in the coming days, Fox reported.

A Mitchell Research & Communications poll of likely voters taken Oct. 1 found El-Sayed at 45.6% and Rogers at 41.4%, with 6% undecided and a margin of error of 3.8 points, CBS Detroit reported. The pollster cautioned that the race could tighten, as past Michigan Senate contests have late in the campaign.

Voting by the numbers

The Michigan Department of State reported these figures as of Oct. 13:

Requests are up more than 20% from the same point before the 2022 midterm, the state said.

Key dates

• Oct. 19: Online voter registration closes. In-person registration at local clerks continues through Election Day.
• Oct. 24 to Nov. 1: Statewide early in-person voting, at least eight hours a day.
• Nov. 3: Election Day. Mail ballots must reach the clerk or a drop box by 8 p.m.