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Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies

Probable Issue: Electoral College Votes

One elector based on the popular vote for each congressional district is being considered.. Image credit: Getty Images
Date Posted: September 14, 2021

Today all of Michigan’s Electoral College votes go toward the winner of the popular vote in a winner-take-all system. A proposal introduced in the Michigan Legislature would allocate one elector based on the popular vote for each congressional district. The winner of the state’s popular vote would win the other two at-large electors.

Each political party has had success in Michigan in recent elections, with Donald Trump winning in 2016 and Joe Biden winning in 2020.

The number of a state’s electoral votes is based on the number of U.S. Congressional Districts (itself based on population), plus the two U.S. Senator seats each state has. Per the 2020 U.S. Census, Michigan has 13 congressional districts and therefore 15 electoral college votes. 

Maine and Nebraska award electors by the winner of congressional districts. The other 48 states award electors by the winner of the state’s popular vote.

Policy Reference 

MFB Policy #61 Elections

Matt Kapp headshot

Matt Kapp

Government Relations Specialist
517-679-5338 [email protected]