Midland, MIVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Midland City Council Election 2026

5 of 5

council seats up

5 contests

6 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

City Council Ward 1 · Unopposed

City Council Ward 2 · 1 seat

City Council Ward 3 · Unopposed

City Council Ward 4 · Unopposed

City Council Ward 5 · Unopposed

Voters in each of Midland's five wards elect one council member. Ward 2 has two candidates; Wards 1, 3, 4 and 5 each have one candidate on the county's official ballot.

2 notes on these statements

Midland residents do not vote directly for mayor; after the election, councilmembers vote among themselves to select one. Big Rapids News (Hearst) · Sep 10, 2026

This guide lists a council member's vote only where the minutes name how each member voted; motions recorded only as adopted are not attributed to individuals. City of Midland · Feb 23, 2026

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phoneSeat the CouncilPick winners, see the councilWhat council decidesBudget, millage and township services, Fire stations, Sale of city-owned landKey datesDeadlines and vote centers

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Next date

Early in-person voting in Midland County begins (through Nov. 1)

Sat, Oct 24, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Budget, millage and township services

Where it standsThe council adopted the 2026-27 budget in May 2026 and raised the city millage for the first time in nine years.

What's on the tableThe next council sets future budgets and millage levels and the terms of city services shared with surrounding townships.

  • Council adopted the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget on May 18, 2026, raising the city's millage for the first time in nine years to avoid dipping heavily into reserve funds. Midland Daily News · May 27, 2026
  • The Daily News asked candidates whether arrangements should change with townships that use city services such as water and the Grace A. Dow Library. Midland Daily News · Oct 1, 2026

Fire stations

Where it standsThe council is working through a February 2024 fire study that recommended moving one station and building a fourth.

What's on the tableThe next council decides whether and how to act on the fire study's recommendations and how to fund them.

  • The Midland Fire Study, presented to the city in February 2024, made 65 recommendations for the fire department, including moving one of the three fire stations and building a fourth. Midland Daily News · Oct 1, 2026
  • Mayor Donker said the council's last meeting raised two questions: the cost of three versus four fire stations and what other communities of Midland's size are doing. Midland Daily News · Oct 1, 2026

Sale of city-owned land

Where it standsThe council authorized sealed bids for a vacant city parcel at 905 E. Park Drive in March 2026, then rescinded that authorization in May.

What's on the tableThe next council decides how to handle requests to buy city-owned land.

Housing and neighborhood development

Where it standsCouncil approved a child care center permit over neighbor opposition in May 2026 and scaled back a sidewalk program after residents objected.

What's on the tableThe next council decides on zoning permits, special assessments and housing policy where neighbors and builders disagree.

  • On May 11, 2026 the council approved Conditional Use Permit No. 97 for a child care center at 1112 E. Wackerly Street, 4-1, after several residents spoke in opposition. City of Midland · May 11, 2026
  • On April 13, 2026 the council voted 4-0 to remove four street segments from the 2026 Sidewalk Improvement Program after residents spoke in opposition to sidewalks on Gardenbrook Drive and Sam Street. City of Midland · Apr 13, 2026
  • Despite many planned or underway housing developments, Midland is still behind what experts say is needed to meet housing demand. Midland Daily News · Jul 13, 2026

Industrial tax exemptions

Where it standsThe council denied one industrial facilities tax exemption in January 2026 and began work on a written exemption policy in August.

What's on the tableThe next council decides what exemption policy to adopt and how to apply it to future applications.

  • On January 26, 2026 the council denied an industrial facilities tax exemption certificate for Rankinen & Associates LLC at 2825 Schuette Road; all five members voted no. City of Midland · Jan 26, 2026
  • On August 17, 2026 the council held a special meeting on developing a new Industrial Facilities Tax exemption policy and asked for more information from the Midland Business Alliance. City of Midland · Aug 17, 2026

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

  1. 1. How should Midland handle requests to buy vacant city-owned land?

  2. 2. How should the city close future budget gaps?

  3. 3. How should the city act on the fire study's call for a fourth station?

  4. 4. Should townships that use city water and the library pay more?

  5. 5. How should Midland add housing?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

The seat math

0 stay (not up this year): 5 on this ballot

5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

  • The Midland City Council has five members, one elected by and from each ward of the city. City of Midland
  • Councilmember terms are two years. City of Midland
  • At its first regular meeting after each biennial city election, the Council selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and one as Mayor pro tem. City of Midland
  • The Mayor has an equal voice and vote in Council proceedings but no veto power. City of Midland
  • The City Manager is appointed by the Council. City of Midland

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