Kalamazoo-area primary election results 2026
Reporting on Kalamazoo-area election results during the August 4, 2026 primary.
Kalamazoo voters approve new tax to help pay for childcare
Kalamazoo County voters have approved an eight-year millage that will help fund childcare options for children through age 5. Jen Stroven is the manager for the millage campaign Yes for Families. She said Kalamazoo County is a childcare desert.
“That means one family in four — if you have a baby or a toddler, you can't find child care. It's inaccessible to you. You can stay on a waiting list up to 18 months,” Stroven said.
Stroven and other supporters said the fund will increase wages for local early educators and lower childcare costs for working families.
Grow Kalamazoo president Beth Berglin advocated for the millage.
“We know that in the entire country, child care is really, really limited. And in our county we knew that we could address it because we have such strong value alignment with our community,” Berglin said.
The tax levies half a mill on properties within Kalamazoo County through 2034. The millage is expected to raise over $6 million dollars in its first year. It passed with over 62% of the vote.
Jen Strebs wins Democratic contest for 41st state House district
Jen Strebs defeated Jessica Swartz in the Democratic primary for the Michigan House of Representatives District 41. Strebs is the chair of the Kalamazoo County Commission. She won by about 11 points over Swartz, according to unofficial results from Kalamazoo County. At a watch party before the results came in Tuesday night, Strebs said the Democrats’ next task was coming together.
“As we transition from the end of the primary, our job now is about, as Democrats, is unifying our party to move forward and to help candidates all across the state so that we put ourselves into position to move into the legislature where we can advance policy to make meaningful difference in people's lives.”
In November, Strebs will face Republican candidate Nicole Sabel, who ran uncontested in Tuesday's Republican primary.
Kalamazoo County transit millage passes
Voters agreed to renew a tax that helps pay for on-demand ride services in Kalamazoo County. The 0.36-mill tax is expected to raise about $4.5 million in its first year. The renewal passed with close to two-thirds of the vote.
Kalamazoo County posts full unofficial results
Ballots from Kalamazoo County have been processed with unofficial results now available.
4th District Democratic candidate Sean McCann beats opponent, the AP says
The Associated Press has called the 4th Congressional District primary for Sean McCann, with 42 percent of results in.
McCann, a Democratic state senator for the 19th district, defeated opponent Diop Harris. Around midnight, he was leading with 63.2 percent of the vote to Harris' 36.8 percent.
McCann will face Republican incumbent Bill Huizenga in November.
"Every day between now and November 3rd, I’ll keep working to win every vote – to unite Democrats, Republicans, and Independents who believe Southwest Michigan deserves better than Bill Huizenga, who doesn’t work for us because he’s working for himself," McCann said in a statement declaring victory Tuesday night.
Huizenga wins 4th District Republican primary, according to the AP
Though only 4 percent of the votes are in, the Associated Press has called the 4th District Republican Congressional primary for incumbent Bill Huizenga, who was winning overwhelmingly against challenger Philip Tanis.
Track statewide and Congressional races on NPR's election page
NPR is tracking primary races including Governor, U.S. Senate and Congressional districts across Michigan on this webpage.
Kalamazoo County election results page
Kalamazoo County posts its election results here.