# 2020 United States Senate election in Michigan

Elections in Michigan :
Federal government
U.S. President
1836
1840
1844
1848
1852
1856
1860
1864
1868
1872
1876
1880
1884
1888
1892
1896
1900
1904
1908
1912
1916
1920
1924
1928
1932
1936
1940
1944
1948
1952
1956
1960
1964
1968
1972
1976
1980
1984
1988
1992
1996
2000
2004
Dem
2008
Dem
GOP
2012
Dem
GOP
2016
Dem
2020
Dem
GOP
2024
Dem
GOP
U.S. Senate
1835
1840 (sp)
1841
1847
1849 (sp)
1853
1857
1858
1862 (sp)
1863
1865
1869
1871
1874
1877
1879 (sp)
1881
1881 (sp)
1887
1889
1893
1895
1895 (sp)
1899
1901
1903 (sp)
1905
1907
1907 (sp)
1911
1913
1916
1918
1922
1924
1924 (sp)
1928
1928 (sp)
1930
1934
1936
1940
1942
1946
1948
1952
1952 (sp)
1954
1958
1960
1964
1966
1970
1972
1976
1978
1982
1984
1988
1990
1994
1996
2000
2002
2006
2008
2012
2014
2018
2020
2024
2026
U.S. House
1835
1837
1838
1840
1843
1844
1846
1847
1st sp
1848
1850
1852
1854
1856
1858
1860
1862
1864
1866
1868
1870
1871
4th sp
1872
1873
5th sp
1874
1876
1878
1880
1881
7th sp
1882
1884
1886
1888
11th sp
1890
1891
5th sp
1892
1893
1st sp
1894
1895
3rd sp
1896
1898
1900
1901
10th sp
1902
1904
1906
1907
5th sp
1908
1910
1912
1914
1916
1917
2nd sp
1918
1920
13th sp
1921
3rd sp
1922
1923
3rd sp
1924
1925
3rd sp
1926
1928
1930
1931
8th sp
1932
1934
1935
3rd sp
1936
1938
1940
5th sp
1942
1944
1946
1947
11th sp
1948
1950
1952
1954
1955
15th sp
1956
1958
1960
1961
1st sp
1962
14th sp
1964
1968
1970
1972
1974
5th sp
8th sp
1976
1978
1980
13th sp
1981
4th sp
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1993
3rd sp
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
11th
11th sp
2014
2016
2018
13th sp
2020
2022
2024
2026 :
State government
State elections
2010
2014
2016
2018
2020
2021
2022
2024
Gubernatorial elections
1835
1837
1839
1841
1843
1845
1847
1849
1851
1852
1854
1856
1858
1860
1862
1864
1866
1868
1870
1872
1874
1876
1878
1880
1882
1884
1886
1888
1890
1892
1894
1896
1898
1900
1902
1904
1906
1908
1910
1912
1914
1916
1918
1920
1922
1924
1926
1928
1930
1932
1934
1936
1938
1940
1942
1944
1946
1948
1950
1952
1954
1956
1958
1960
1962
1964
1966
1970
1974
1978
1982
1986
1990
1994
1998
2002
2006
2010
2014
2018
2022
2026
Attorney General elections
1974
1978
1982
1986
1990
1994
1998
2002
2006
2010
2014
2018
2022
Secretary of State elections
1978
1982
1986
1990
1994
1998
2002
2006
2010
2014
2018
2022
Auditor General elections
1962
State Senate elections
2002
2006
2010
2014
2016
4th sp
2018
2021 (sp)
2022
State House elections
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024 :
Ballot proposals
1996Proposal E
2004Proposal 04-2
2006Proposal 06-2
2008Proposal 1
2012
Proposal 1
Proposal 2
Proposal 3
Proposal 4
Proposal 5
Proposal 6
2015
Proposal 1
2018
Proposal 1
Proposal 2
Proposal 3
2020
Proposal 1
Proposal 2
2022
Proposal 1
Proposal 2
Proposal 3 :
Detroit
Mayoral elections
1824
1825
1826
1827
1828
1829
1830
1831
1832
1833
1834
1834 (sp)
1835
1836
1837
1838
1839
1840
1841
1842
1843
1844
1845
1846
1847
1848
1849
1850
1851
1852
1853
1854
1855
1856
1857
1858
1859
1861
1863
1865
1867
1869
1871
1873
1875
1877
1879
1881
1883
1885
1887
1889
1891
1893
1895
1897
1899
1901
1903
1905
1907
1901
1903
1905
1907
1909
1911
1913
1915
1917
1919
1921
1923
1925
1927
1929
1930 (recall)
1930 (sp)
1931
1933
1935
1937
1939
1941
1943
1945
1947
1949
1950 (sp)
1951
1953
1957
1961
1965
1969
1973
1977
1981
1985
1989
1993
1997
2001
2005
2009 (sp)
2009
2013
2017
2021
2025 :
Flint
Mayoral elections
2015
2017 (recall)
2019
2022 :
Grand Rapids
Mayoral elections
2015
2019
2024 :
Lansing
Mayoral elections
2017
2021 :
vte :
The 2020 United States Senate election in Michigan was held on November 3, 2020, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent Michigan. It was held concurrently with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.
This race was one of two-Democratic held U.S. Senate seats up for election in 2020 in a state Donald Trump won in 2016. The primary was held on August 4.
The filing deadline for candidates to run in the primary was April 21 but was extended to May 8 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The election was considered a potential upset pickup by the Republicans due to the state's demographic trends, Donald Trump's upset win in 2016, and Republican candidate John James's outperformance of polling expectations despite losing the state's Senate election in 2018. However, most analysts still believed Gary Peters to be the more likely winner.
Peters won re-election to a second term, though by a much closer margin than expected. James, who outperformed Trump on the same ballot, initially refused to concede, baselessly claiming in a statement published to his campaign website two days after the election that he had been "cheated" out of winning the election. The statement alleged that there were "deep concerns that millions of Michiganders may have been disenfranchised by a dishonest few who cheat.". On November 24, James conceded the race exactly three weeks after election day. With a margin of 1.68%, this election was the second-closest race of the 2020 Senate election cycle, behind only the regularly-scheduled election in Georgia.

## Democratic primary
### Candidates
#### Nominee

* Gary Peters, incumbent U.S. senator

#### Declined

* Abdul El-Sayed, former executive director of the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion and candidate for Governor of Michigan in 2018

### Endorsements

Organizations
* Clean Water Action
* Council for a Livable World
* End Citizens United
* Feminist Majority PAC
* Giffords
* Human Rights Campaign
* Humane Society of the United States Legislative Fund
* League of Conservation Voters\
* Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus
* Michigan Education Association
* Michigan Realtors
* NARAL Pro-Choice America
* National Organization for Women
* Peace Action
* Planned Parenthood Action Fund
* Population Connection
* Progressive Women's Alliance of West Michigan
* Sierra Club
* Voter Protection Project
* VoteVets

### Democratic primary results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Gary Peters (incumbent) | 1,180,780 | 100.0% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,180,780 | 100.0% |

## Republican primary
### Candidates
#### Nominee

* John James, businessman, Iraq War veteran and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2018

#### Disqualified

* Bob Carr, historic preservationist, businessman and perennial candidate
* Valerie Willis, write-in candidate in the 2018 United States Senate election in Michigan (switched to U.S. Taxpayers candidacy)

#### Declined

* Tom Leonard, former Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives and nominee for Michigan Attorney General in 2018
* Candice Miller, Macomb County Public Works Commissioner and former U.S. Representative for Michigan's 10th congressional district
* Sandy Pensler, businessman and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2018
* Bill Schuette, former Michigan Attorney General and nominee for Governor of Michigan in 2018 (endorsed John James)
* Rick Snyder, former governor of Michigan

### Endorsements

Individuals
* Ronna McDaniel, Chair of the Republican National Committee
Organizations
* New York Young Republican Club

### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | John James | Bill Schuette | Undecided |
| | June 6, 2019 | Schuette announces that he will not run by endorsing James | Schuette announces that he will not run by endorsing James | Schuette announces that he will not run by endorsing James | Schuette announces that he will not run by endorsing James | Schuette announces that he will not run by endorsing James |
| Target Insyght | April 22–25, 2019 | 296 (LV) | – | 59% | 15% | 26% |

### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John James | 1,005,315 | 100.0% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,005,315 | 100.0% |

## Other candidates
### Communist Party
#### Withdrawn

* Frank Seldon Cupps (as a write-in candidate)

### Green Party
#### Nominee

* Marcia Squier (2018 Green Party nominee for US Senate)

### Natural Law Party
#### Nominee

* Doug Dern

### U.S. Taxpayers Party
#### Nominee

* Valerie L. Willis (switched from Republican candidacy after being disqualified for the Republican primary)

### Independents

* Leonard Gadzinski

#### Withdrawn

* Gregory Charles Jones

## General election
### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Lean D | October 29, 2020 |
| Inside Elections | Lean D | October 28, 2020 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Lean D | November 2, 2020 |
| Daily Kos | Lean D | October 30, 2020 |
| Politico | Lean D | November 2, 2020 |
| RCP | Tossup | October 23, 2020 |
| DDHQ | Likely D | November 3, 2020 |
| 538 | Likely D | November 2, 2020 |
| Economist | Likely D | November 2, 2020 |

### Additional general election endorsements

U.S. Executive Branch officials
* Joe Biden, 47th vice president of the United States (2009–2017), former U.S. Senator from Delaware (1973–2009) and 2020 Democratic nominee for President of the United States
* Barack Obama, 44th president of the United States (2009–2017) and former U.S. senator from Illinois (2005–2008)
U.S. senators
* Amy Klobuchar, U.S. senator from Minnesota (2007–present)
* Bernie Sanders, U.S. senator from Vermont (2007–present) and former U.S. Representative from Vermont's at-large congressional district (1991–2007)
* Elizabeth Warren, U.S. senator from Massachusetts (2013–present)
Organizations
* Black Economic Alliance
* Center for Biological Diversity
* Congressional Black Caucus PAC
* Democratic Majority for Israel
* Everytown for Gun Safety
* Fems for Dems
* Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs
* National Association of Social Workers
* National Committee for an Effective Congress
* National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
* National Education Association
* Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund
* Progressive Turnout Project
Newspapers
* Detroit Free Press
Labor unions
* American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 25
* American Federation of Teachers - Michigan
* International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
* International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers
* Michigan AFL–CIO
* Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council
* Michigan Laborers' District Council
* Michigan Nurses Association
* Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters
* Service Employees International Union Healthcare Michigan
* United Auto Workers
Newspapers
* Detroit Free Press
U.S. Executive Branch officials
* Nikki Haley, 29th United States Ambassador to the United Nations (2017–2018) and 116th governor of South Carolina (2011–2017)
* Mike Pence, 48th vice president of the United States (2017–2021)
* Donald Trump, 45th president of the United States (2017–2021)
U.S. representatives
* Dan Crenshaw, U.S. representative from Texas's 2nd congressional district (2019–present)
Newspapers
* The Alpena News
* The Daily Mining Gazette
* Daily Press
* The Detroit News
* Washington Examiner
Individuals
* Kirstie Alley, actress
* Donald Trump Jr., son of United States President Donald Trump
Organizations
* American Conservative Union
* Family Research Council Action
* FreedomWorks
* Huck PAC
* Michigan Chamber of Commerce
* Michigan Farm Bureau
* National Federation of Independent Business
* National Right to Life Committee
* NRA Political Victory Fund
* Senate Conservatives Fund
* Susan B. Anthony List
* United States Chamber of Commerce

### Polling
#### Aggregate polls

John James vs. Gary Peters :
| Source of poll aggregation | Dates administered | Dates updated | Gary Peters | John James | Other/Undecided | Margin |
| 270 To Win | November 2, 2020 | November 3, 2020 | 49.8% | 42.2% | 8.0% | Peters +7.6 |
| Real Clear Politics | November 1, 2020 | November 3, 2020 | 49.8% | 44.4% | 5.8% | Peters +5.4 |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Gary Peters (D) | John James (R) | Other/ Undecided |
| Research Co. | October 31 – November 1, 2020 | 450 (LV) | ± 4.6% | 52% | 37% | 12% |
| Change Research/CNBC | October 29 – November 1, 2020 | 383 (LV) | ± 5.01% | 51% | 46% | 3% |
| Swayable | October 27 – November 1, 2020 | 393 (LV) | ± 6.6% | 54% | 46% | – |
| Ipsos/Reuters | October 27 – November 1, 2020 | 654 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 51% | 44% | 5% |
| Morning Consult | October 22–31, 2020 | 1,736 (LV) | ± 2.0% | 49% | 43% | – |
| Emerson College | October 29–30, 2020 | 700 (LV) | ± 3.4% | 52% | 46% | 2% |
| Public Policy Polling (D) | October 29–30, 2020 | 745 (V) | ± 3.6% | 54% | 44% | 2% |
| Targoz Market Research/PollSmart | October 25–30, 2020 | 993 (LV) | – | 54% | 43% | 2% |
| CNN/SSRS | October 23–30, 2020 | 907 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 52% | 40% | 7% |
| Mitchell Research (R) | October 29, 2020 | 817 (LV) | ± 3.43% | 50% | 45% | 5% |
| RMG Research | October 27–29, 2020 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 50% | 41% | 9% |
| RMG Research | October 27–29, 2020 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 52% | 39% | 9% |
| RMG Research | October 27–29, 2020 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 48% | 42% | 9% |
| EPIC-MRA | October 25–28, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 4% | 47% | 42% | 11% |
| Kiaer Research | October 21–28, 2020 | 669 (LV) | ± 5.6% | 51% | 38% | 11% |
| Mitchell Research (R) | October 25–27, 2020 | 759 (LV) | ± 3.56% | 52% | 43% | 3% |
| Tarrance Group (R) | October 24–26, 2020 | – (V) | ± 4.3% | 48% | 46% | 1% |
| Swayable | October 23–26, 2020 | 365 (LV) | ± 6.9% | 58% | 42% | – |
| Siena College/NYT Upshot | October 23–26, 2020 | 856 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 49% | 41% | 8% |
| Ipsos/Reuters | October 20–26, 2020 | 652 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 50% | 44% | 6% |
| Glengariff Group | October 23–25, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 4% | 48% | 39% | 9% |
| ABC/Washington Post | October 20–25, 2020 | 789 (LV) | ± 4% | 52% | 46% | 2% |
| Gravis Marketing | October 24, 2020 | 679 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 52% | 41% | 7% |
| Public Policy Polling (D) | October 21–22, 2020 | 804 (V) | – | 52% | 43% | 6% |
| Citizen Data | October 17–20, 2020 | 1,000 (LV) | ± 3.1% | 46% | 42% | 12% |
| FOX News | October 17–20, 2020 | 1,032 (LV) | ± 3% | 49% | 41% | 9% |
| Reuters/Ipsos | October 14–20, 2020 | 686 (LV) | ± 4.3% | 50% | 45% | 5% |
| Morning Consult | October 11–20, 2020 | 1,717 (LV) | ± 2.4% | 48% | 42% | – |
| Change Research/CNBC | October 16–19, 2020 | 718 (LV) | – | 50% | 45% | – |
| EPIC-MRA | October 15–19, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 4% | 45% | 39% | 16% |
| Mitchell Research (R) | October 18, 2020 | 900 (LV) | ± 3.27% | 49% | 43% | 8% |
| Trafalgar Group (R)/Restoration PAC (Hyperpartisan) | October 15–18, 2020 | 1,034 (LV) | ± 2.97% | 48% | 50% | 3% |
| Data For Progress | October 15–18, 2020 | 830 (LV) | ± 3.4% | 48% | 43% | 9% |
| HarrisX/The Hill | October 12–15, 2020 | 1,289 (LV) | – | 50% | 43% | – |
| Trafalgar Group (R) | October 11–15, 2020 | 1,018 (LV) | ± 2.99% | 47% | 48% | 5% |
| Reuters/Ipsos | October 7–13, 2020 | 620 (LV) | ± 4.5% | 52% | 44% | 4% |
| EPIC-MRA | October 8–12, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 4% | 45% | 39% | 16% |
| Siena College/NYT Upshot | October 6–11, 2020 | 614 (LV) | ± 4.6% | 43% | 42% | 15% |
| Morning Consult | October 2–11, 2020 | 1,710 (LV) | ± 2.4% | 49% | 40% | – |
| YouGov/CBS | October 6–9, 2020 | 1,181 (LV) | ± 3.3% | 47% | 44% | 9% |
| Baldwin Wallace University | September 30 – October 8, 2020 | 1,134 (LV) | ± 3.2% | 48% | 42% | 10% |
| Emerson College | October 6–7, 2020 | 716 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 51% | 41% | 8% |
| Opinion Insight/American Action Forum | October 3–6, 2020 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.46% | 49% | 42% | 8% |
| Reuters/Ipsos | September 29 – October 6, 2020 | 709 (LV) | ± 4.2% | 50% | 43% | 7% |
| Tarrance Group (R) | October 3–5, 2020 | 605 (RV) | ± 4.1% | 48% | 46% | – |
| Change Research/CNBC | October 2–4, 2020 | 676 (LV) | – | 51% | 43% | 6% |
| Glengariff Group | September 30 – October 3, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 4% | 45% | 40% | 16% |
| Public Policy Polling (D) | September 30 – October 1, 2020 | 746 (V) | – | 48% | 41% | 10% |
| Trafalgar Group (R)/Restoration PAC (Hyperpartisan) | September 26–28, 2020 | 1,042 (LV) | ± 2.95% | 48% | 47% | 5% |
| Trafalgar Group (R) | September 23–25, 2020 | 1,047 (LV) | ± 2.95% | 47% | 47% | 6% |
| Marist College/NBC | September 19–23, 2020 | 799 (LV) | ± 4.3% | 49% | 44% | 7% |
| Baldwin Wallace University | September 9–22, 2020 | 1,001 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 46% | 41% | 13% |
| Change Research/CNBC | September 18–20, 2020 | 568 (LV) | – | 50% | 44% | 5% |
| Morning Consult | September 11–20, 2020 | 1,376 (LV) | ± (2% – 7%) | 47% | 40% | – |
| Hart Research Associates (D) | September 17–19, 2020 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 50% | 42% | – |
| Data for Progress (D) | September 14–19, 2020 | 455 (LV) | ± 4.6% | 47% | 42% | 12% |
| Marketing Resource Group (R) | September 14–19, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 42% | 40% | 20% |
| Morning Consult | September 8–17, 2020 | 1,451 (LV) | ± (2% – 4%) | 48% | 40% | – |
| Ipsos/Reuters | September 11–16, 2020 | 637 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 49% | 43% | 7% |
| EPIC-MRA | September 10–15, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 4% | 45% | 41% | 14% |
| Redfield & Wilton Strategies | September 12–14, 2020 | 930 (LV) | ± 3.21% | 51% | 35% | 13% |
| Benenson Strategy Group/GS Strategy Group | August 28 – September 8, 2020 | 1,600 (LV) | ± 2.5% | 45% | 41% | 14% |
| Change Research/CNBC | September 4–6, 2020 | 876 (LV) | ± 3.2% | 50% | 46% | 5% |
| Rasmussen Reports | September 2–3, 2020 | 1,000 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 48% | 40% | 13% |
| Glengariff Group/Detroit News | September 1–3, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 44% | 41% | 14% |
| Tarrance Group (R) | September 1–3, 2020 | 569 (RV) | – | 47% | 46% | 7% |
| Redfield & Wilton Strategies | August 30 – September 3, 2020 | 967 (LV) | ± 3.2% | 50% | 38% | 12% |
| Opinion Insight/American Action Forum | August 30 – September 2, 2020 | 802 (LV) | ± 3.46% | 49% | 42% | 8% |
| Public Policy Polling (D) | August 28–29, 2020 | 897 (V) | ± 3.2% | 47% | 39% | 14% |
| Change Research/CNBC | August 21–23, 2020 | 809 (LV) | ± 3.4% | 50% | 45% | 6% |
| Trafalgar Group (R) | August 14–23, 2020 | 1,048 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 47% | 48% | 5% |
| Redfield & Wilton Strategies | August 16–18, 2020 | 812 (LV) | ± 3.4% | 48% | 39% | 13% |
| Hodas & Associates/Restoration PAC(Hyperpartisan) | August 11–15, 2020 | 600 (LV) | – | 53% | 39% | 8% |
| Tarrance Group (R) | August 10–13, 2020 | 602 (RV) | ± 4.1% | 49% | 44% | 7% |
| Change Research/CNBC | August 7–9, 2020 | 413 (LV) | ± 4.6% | 48% | 45% | 7% |
| EPIC-MRA | July 25–30, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 50% | 40% | 10% |
| Public Policy Polling (D) | July 28–29, 2020 | 876 (V) | ± 3.2% | 47% | 39% | 13% |
| Change Research/CNBC | July 24–26, 2020 | 413 (LV) | ± 4.8% | 48% | 44% | 8% |
| Morning Consult | July 17–26, 2020 | 1,320 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 49% | 35% | 16% |
| CNN/SSRS | July 18–24, 2020 | 927 (RV) | ± 3.8% | 54% | 38% | 8% |
| Redfield & Wilton Strategies | July 19–23, 2020 | 811 (LV) | ± 3.2% | 52% | 35% | 13% |
| Gravis Marketing | July 22, 2020 | 754 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 49% | 39% | 11% |
| Marketing Resource Group (R) | July 19–21, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 41% | 34% | 26% |
| FOX News | July 18–20, 2020 | 756 (RV) | ± 3.5% | 48% | 38% | 15% |
| Hodas & Associates/Restoration PAC (R) (Hyperpartisan) | July 13–16, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 51% | 40% | 9% |
| Spry Strategies (R) | July 11–16, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 47% | 37% | 15% |
| Change Research/CNBC | July 10–12, 2020 | 824 (LV) | ± 2.8% | 50% | 43% | 6% |
| Public Policy Polling (D) | July 9–10, 2020 | 1,041 (V) | ± 3.2% | 49% | 42% | 9% |
| Change Research/CNBC | June 26–28, 2020 | 699 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 49% | 42% | 9% |
| Public Policy Polling (D) | June 26–27, 2020 | 1,237 (V) | ± 3.2% | 47% | 39% | 14% |
| Hodas & Associates/Restoration PAC (R) (Hyperpartisan) | June 17–20, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 51% | 38% | 12% |
| NYT Upshot/Siena College | June 8–17, 2020 | 610 (RV) | ± 4.3% | 41% | 31% | 29% |
| Redfield & Wilton Strategies | June 14–16, 2020 | 826 (LV) | ± 3.4% | 50% | 32% | 18% |
| Marketing Resource Group (R) | June 12–15, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 36% | 30% | 33% |
| American Greatness/TIPP (R) | June 9–12, 2020 | 907 (RV) | ± 3.3% | 47% | 35% | 17% |
| Kiaer Research | May 31 – June 7, 2020 | 543 (LV) | ± 6.4% | 48% | 32% | 20% |
| EPIC-MRA | May 30 – June 3, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 51% | 36% | 13% |
| Public Policy Polling (D) | May 29–30, 2020 | 1,582 (V) | ± 2.5% | 48% | 39% | 13% |
| Change Research/Crooked Media | May 11–17, 2020 | 3,070 (LV) | ± 2.6% | 48% | 43% | 9% |
| Hodas & Associates/Restoration PAC (R) (Hyperpartisan) | May 1–5, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 48% | 36% | 17% |
| Public Policy Polling (D) | April 28–29, 2020 | 1,270 (V) | ± 3.2% | 46% | 37% | 17% |
| FOX News | April 18–21, 2020 | 801 (RV) | ± 3.5% | 46% | 36% | 13% |
| Hodas & Associates/Restoration PAC (R) (Hyperpartisan) | April 9–18, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 46% | 37% | 17% |
| Public Policy Polling (D) | March 31 – April 1, 2020 | 1,019 (V) | ± 3.1% | 45% | 38% | 17% |
| Spry Strategies (R) | March 30 – April 1, 2020 | 602 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 42% | 40% | 18% |
| Hodas & Associates/Restoration PAC (R) (Hyperpartisan) | March 12–21, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 48% | 39% | 13% |
| Marketing Resource Group (R) | March 16–20, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 42% | 35% | 17% |
| Firehouse/0ptimus | March 5–7, 2020 | 550 (LV) | ± 5.0% | 40% | 41% | 11% |
| Quinnipiac University | February 12–18, 2020 | 845 (RV) | ± 3.4% | 45% | 39% | 15% |
| Baldwin Wallace University | January 8–20, 2020 | 1,023 (RV) | ± 3.1% | 42% | 32% | 26% |
| Glengariff Group | January 3–7, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 44% | 40% | 16% |
| Emerson College | October 31 – November 3, 2019 | 1,051 (RV) | ± 3.5% | 46% | 40% | 14% |
| Hodas & Associates Restoration PAC (R) (Hyperpartisan) | October 10–16, 2019 | 600 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 48% | 35% | 17% |
| Marketing Resource Group (R) | October 7–10, 2019 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 43% | 40% | 17% |
| Target-Insyght/MIRS News | September 24–26, 2019 | 804 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 53% | 37% | 10% |
| Denno Research/Vanguard PA/PSC (D) | September 21–24, 2019 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 40% | 39% | 21% |
| Target Insyght | April 22–25, 2019 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 50% | 36% | 14% |
| Emerson College | March 7–10, 2019 | 743 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 44% | 43% | 14% |
The following poll assumes neither Republican candidate would withdraw after their primary. with Bob Carr and John James
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Gary Peters (D) | Bob Carr (R) | John James (R) | Undecided |
| Baldwin Wallace University Great Lakes | March 17–25, 2020 | 822 (RV) | ± 3.8% | 40% | 6% | 27% | 28% |
with Bill Schuette
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Gary Peters (D) | Bill Schuette (R) | Undecided |
| Target Insyght | April 22–25, 2019 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 51% | 32% | 17% |
with Gary Peters and Generic Republican
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Gary Peters (D) | Generic Republican | Undecided |
| Denno Research/Vanguard PA (D) | May 8–10, 2019 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 42% | 36% | 21% |
with Gary Peters and Generic Opponent
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Gary Peters (D) | Generic Opponent | Undecided |
| MRG | Jun 12–15, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 19.2% | 30.3% | 50.5% |
with Generic Democrat and Generic Republican
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Generic Democrat | Generic Republican | Other | Undecided |
| Glengariff Group/Detroit News | October 23–25, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 4% | 47% | 41% | – | – |
| Ipsos/Reuters | September 11–16, 2020 | 637 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 47% | 43% | 2% | 8% |
| Hodas & Associates/Restoration PAC | August 11–15, 2020 | 600 (LV) | – | 48% | 39% | – | 13% |
| Hodas & Associates/Restoration PAC (R) (Hyperpartisan) | July 13–16, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 49% | 38% | – | 13% |
| Hodas & Associates/Restoration PAC (R) | June 17–20, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 50% | 34% | – | 15% |
| Hodas & Associates/Restoration PAC (R) (Hyperpartisan) | May 1–5, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 43% | 38% | 15% | – |
| Hodas & Associates/Restoration PAC (R) (Hyperpartisan) | April 9–18, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 40% | 44% | 16% | – |
| Hodas & Associates/Restoration PAC (R) (Hyperpartisan) | March 12–21, 2020 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 46% | 42% | 12% | – |

### Results

Polls indicated that the race would be close, with Peters leading in most polls. In 2018, Michigan voters approved "no reason required" absentee balloting. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a record number of absentee voters. Michigan law at that time did not allow for early tabulating of absentee ballots, so the absentee ballots were tabulated after completing the tabulating of ballots from polling places. This created a "mirage" effect because more Republicans voted on election day, and more Democrats voted by absentee ballot. James was ahead when the counting of election day ballots was completed. When the absentee ballots were tabulated, and with 98% of the votes counted, Peters was declared the winner by a tight margin of one percentage point after a day of waiting. When the results were certified on November 23, Peters' margin of victory was 1.68%.
Peters was able to win re-election by running up a big margin in Wayne County, home of Detroit, winning over 67% of the vote there. He also managed to improve his performance in the reliably Democratic Washtenaw County, home of Ann Arbor, improving on his 2014 election by almost three percentage points. He also came within just 1,139 votes of winning Kent County, home of Grand Rapids, having lost the county by over eight percentage points six years prior. Peters was sworn in for his second term on January 3, 2021. His term will expire on January 3, 2027.
African-Americans in Detroit were a major demographic contributing to Peters winning the election.
James would later be elected as a representative in Michigan's 10th congressional district in 2022.
* Democratic—+5-10%
* Democratic—+<5%
* Republican—+<5%
* Republican—+5-10%
* Republican—+10-15%
* Republican—+15-20%
* Republican—+20-25%
* Republican—+25-30%
* Republican—+30-35%
* Republican—+35-40%
* Republican—+>40%
* Democratic—+<5%
* Republican—+<5%
* Republican—+5-10%
* Republican—+10-15%
* Republican—+15-20%
* Republican—+20-25%
* Republican—+25-30%
* Republican—+30-35%
* Republican—+35-40%
* Republican—+>40%
2020 United States Senate election in Michigan :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Gary Peters (incumbent) | 2,734,568 | 49.90% | −4.71% |
| | Republican | John James | 2,642,233 | 48.22% | +6.89% |
| | Constitution | Valerie Willis | 50,597 | 0.92% | −0.28% |
| | Green | Marcia Squier | 39,217 | 0.72% | −0.12% |
| | Natural Law | Doug Dern | 13,093 | 0.24% | N/A |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 12 | 0.00% | ±0.00% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,479,720 | 100.0% | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### By county

By county :
| County | Gary Peters Democratic | Gary Peters Democratic | John James Republican | John James Republican | Valerie Willis Constitution | Valerie Willis Constitution | Marcia Squier Green | Marcia Squier Green | Doug Dern Natural Law | Doug Dern Natural Law | Write-in | Write-in | Margin | Margin | Total votes |
| County | # | % | # | % | # | % | # | % | # | % | # | % | # | % | Total votes |
| Alcona | 2,284 | 32.64 | 4,614 | 65.94 | 50 | 0.72 | 34 | 0.49 | 15 | 0.21 | 0 | 0.00 | -2,330 | -33.30 | 6,997 |
| Alger | 2,089 | 41.11 | 2,919 | 57.44 | 36 | 0.71 | 31 | 0.61 | 7 | 0.14 | 0 | 0.00 | -830 | -16.33 | 5,082 |
| Allegan | 22,939 | 34.52 | 42,362 | 63.76 | 594 | 0.89 | 416 | 0.63 | 132 | 0.20 | 2 | 0.00 | -19,423 | -29.23 | 66,445 |
| Alpena | 6,273 | 37.40 | 10,257 | 61.16 | 119 | 0.71 | 82 | 0.49 | 40 | 0.24 | 0 | 0.00 | -3,984 | -23.76 | 16,771 |
| Antrim | 5,758 | 36.27 | 9,924 | 62.51 | 82 | 0.52 | 86 | 0.54 | 27 | 0.17 | 0 | 0.00 | -4,166 | -26.24 | 15,877 |
| Arenac | 3,085 | 35.41 | 5,443 | 62.48 | 103 | 1.18 | 48 | 0.55 | 33 | 0.38 | 0 | 0.00 | -2,358 | -27.07 | 8,712 |
| Baraga | 1,528 | 38.20 | 2,409 | 60.22 | 31 | 0.77 | 23 | 0.58 | 9 | 0.23 | 0 | 0.00 | -881 | -22.02 | 4,000 |
| Barry | 11,369 | 31.96 | 23,499 | 66.06 | 366 | 1.03 | 241 | 0.68 | 95 | 0.27 | 0 | 0.00 | -12,130 | -34.10 | 35,570 |
| Bay | 27,072 | 45.52 | 31,314 | 52.65 | 561 | 0.94 | 382 | 0.64 | 143 | 0.24 | 0 | 0.00 | -4,242 | -7.13 | 59,472 |
| Benzie | 5,328 | 43.78 | 6,692 | 54.99 | 58 | 0.48 | 66 | 0.54 | 25 | 0.21 | 0 | 0.00 | -1,364 | -11.21 | 12,169 |
| Berrien | 34,777 | 42.87 | 44,801 | 55.23 | 764 | 0.94 | 568 | 0.70 | 209 | 0.26 | 0 | 0.00 | -10,024 | -12.36 | 81,119 |
| Branch | 6,119 | 30.17 | 13,682 | 67.47 | 278 | 1.37 | 132 | 0.65 | 69 | 0.34 | 0 | 0.00 | -7,563 | -37.29 | 20,280 |
| Calhoun | 28,145 | 42.93 | 35,786 | 54.59 | 867 | 1.32 | 547 | 0.83 | 211 | 0.32 | 0 | 0.00 | -7,641 | -11.66 | 65,556 |
| Cass | 8,565 | 33.13 | 16,814 | 65.04 | 253 | 0.98 | 161 | 0.62 | 58 | 0.22 | 0 | 0.00 | -8,249 | -31.91 | 25,851 |
| Charlevoix | 6,664 | 39.46 | 10,030 | 59.39 | 83 | 0.49 | 82 | 0.49 | 29 | 0.17 | 0 | 0.00 | -3,366 | -19.93 | 16,888 |
| Cheboygan | 5,475 | 34.80 | 10,026 | 63.72 | 121 | 0.77 | 82 | 0.52 | 30 | 0.19 | 0 | 0.00 | -4,551 | -28.92 | 15,734 |
| Chippewa | 6,729 | 38.48 | 10,497 | 60.02 | 128 | 0.73 | 102 | 0.58 | 33 | 0.19 | 0 | 0.00 | -3,768 | -21.54 | 17,489 |
| Clare | 5,372 | 33.35 | 10,468 | 64.99 | 125 | 0.78 | 96 | 0.60 | 47 | 0.29 | 0 | 0.00 | -5,096 | -31.64 | 16,108 |
| Clinton | 21,490 | 45.32 | 25,269 | 53.29 | 304 | 0.64 | 266 | 0.56 | 86 | 0.18 | 0 | 0.00 | -3,779 | -7.97 | 47,415 |
| Crawford | 2,653 | 34.10 | 5,021 | 64.54 | 52 | 0.67 | 34 | 0.44 | 20 | 0.26 | 0 | 0.00 | -2,368 | -30.44 | 7,780 |
| Delta | 7,827 | 37.42 | 12,828 | 61.33 | 126 | 0.60 | 97 | 0.46 | 39 | 0.19 | 0 | 0.00 | -5,001 | -23.91 | 20,917 |
| Dickinson | 4,881 | 33.69 | 9,431 | 65.10 | 88 | 0.61 | 65 | 0.45 | 21 | 0.15 | 0 | 0.00 | -4,550 | -31.41 | 14,486 |
| Eaton | 31,460 | 49.47 | 30,876 | 48.56 | 642 | 1.01 | 451 | 0.71 | 158 | 0.25 | 0 | 0.00 | 584 | 0.92 | 63,587 |
| Emmet | 9,216 | 41.85 | 12,506 | 56.79 | 97 | 0.44 | 152 | 0.69 | 51 | 0.23 | 0 | 0.00 | -3,290 | -14.94 | 22,022 |
| Genesee | 120,380 | 54.94 | 94,505 | 43.13 | 2,210 | 1.01 | 1,509 | 0.69 | 506 | 0.23 | 0 | 0.00 | 25,875 | 11.81 | 219,110 |
| Gladwin | 4,905 | 34.15 | 9,245 | 64.36 | 119 | 0.83 | 59 | 0.41 | 36 | 0.25 | 0 | 0.00 | -4,340 | -30.21 | 14,364 |
| Gogebic | 3,556 | 43.73 | 4,436 | 54.55 | 64 | 0.79 | 58 | 0.71 | 18 | 0.22 | 0 | 0.00 | -880 | -10.82 | 8,132 |
| Grand Traverse | 27,291 | 45.61 | 31,792 | 53.13 | 269 | 0.45 | 397 | 0.66 | 91 | 0.15 | 0 | 0.00 | -4,501 | -7.52 | 59,840 |
| Gratiot | 6,856 | 36.18 | 11,746 | 61.99 | 165 | 0.87 | 126 | 0.66 | 55 | 0.29 | 0 | 0.00 | -4,890 | -25.81 | 18,948 |
| Hillsdale | 6,237 | 27.19 | 16,227 | 70.73 | 251 | 1.09 | 154 | 0.67 | 73 | 0.32 | 0 | 0.00 | -9,990 | -43.54 | 22,942 |
| Houghton | 7,941 | 43.28 | 10,151 | 55.32 | 89 | 0.49 | 142 | 0.77 | 27 | 0.15 | 0 | 0.00 | -2,210 | -12.04 | 18,350 |
| Huron | 6,021 | 33.49 | 11,730 | 65.25 | 115 | 0.64 | 65 | 0.36 | 45 | 0.25 | 0 | 0.00 | -5,709 | -31.76 | 17,976 |
| Ingham | 92,378 | 64.35 | 48,378 | 33.70 | 1,260 | 0.88 | 1,218 | 0.85 | 323 | 0.22 | 0 | 0.00 | 44,000 | 30.65 | 143,557 |
| Ionia | 10,639 | 33.50 | 20,361 | 64.10 | 436 | 1.37 | 239 | 0.75 | 87 | 0.27 | 0 | 0.00 | -9,722 | -30.61 | 31,762 |
| Iosco | 5,804 | 38.35 | 9,040 | 59.73 | 153 | 1.01 | 95 | 0.63 | 43 | 0.28 | 0 | 0.00 | -3,236 | -21.38 | 15,135 |
| Iron | 2,554 | 38.01 | 4,063 | 60.47 | 51 | 0.76 | 39 | 0.58 | 12 | 0.18 | 0 | 0.00 | -1,509 | -22.46 | 6,719 |
| Isabella | 13,849 | 47.62 | 14,673 | 50.45 | 243 | 0.84 | 233 | 0.80 | 87 | 0.30 | 0 | 0.00 | -824 | -2.83 | 29,085 |
| Jackson | 32,649 | 40.97 | 45,054 | 56.54 | 1,096 | 1.38 | 620 | 0.78 | 262 | 0.33 | 0 | 0.00 | -12,405 | -15.57 | 79,681 |
| Kalamazoo | 78,842 | 55.44 | 60,227 | 42.35 | 1,371 | 0.96 | 1,456 | 1.02 | 318 | 0.22 | 1 | 0.00 | 18,615 | 13.09 | 142,215 |
| Kalkaska | 3,013 | 28.66 | 7,328 | 69.70 | 75 | 0.71 | 70 | 0.67 | 27 | 0.26 | 0 | 0.00 | -4,315 | -41.04 | 10,513 |
| Kent | 175,256 | 48.86 | 176,795 | 49.29 | 2,948 | 0.82 | 2,956 | 0.82 | 722 | 0.20 | 0 | 0.00 | -1,539 | -0.43 | 358,677 |
| Keweenaw | 686 | 44.69 | 837 | 54.53 | 1 | 0.07 | 8 | 0.52 | 3 | 0.19 | 0 | 0.00 | -151 | -9.84 | 1,535 |
| Lake | 2,286 | 36.73 | 3,804 | 61.12 | 85 | 1.37 | 28 | 0.45 | 21 | 0.34 | 0 | 0.00 | -1,518 | -24.39 | 6,224 |
| Lapeer | 16,590 | 31.94 | 34,340 | 66.12 | 581 | 1.12 | 283 | 0.54 | 143 | 0.28 | 0 | 0.00 | -17,750 | -34.18 | 51,937 |
| Leelanau | 8,277 | 49.17 | 8,380 | 49.78 | 61 | 0.36 | 100 | 0.59 | 17 | 0.10 | 0 | 0.00 | -103 | -0.61 | 16,835 |
| Lenawee | 19,767 | 37.64 | 31,659 | 60.28 | 539 | 1.03 | 413 | 0.79 | 139 | 0.26 | 0 | 0.00 | -11,892 | -22.64 | 52,517 |
| Livingston | 46,118 | 36.68 | 77,802 | 61.89 | 845 | 0.67 | 702 | 0.56 | 250 | 0.20 | 0 | 0.00 | -31,684 | -25.20 | 125,717 |
| Luce | 855 | 28.74 | 2,070 | 69.58 | 23 | 0.77 | 16 | 0.54 | 11 | 0.37 | 0 | 0.00 | -1,215 | -40.84 | 2,975 |
| Mackinac | 2,638 | 37.77 | 4,263 | 61.03 | 43 | 0.62 | 33 | 0.47 | 8 | 0.11 | 0 | 0.00 | -1,625 | -23.26 | 6,985 |
| Macomb | 224,448 | 46.14 | 252,052 | 51.81 | 5,111 | 1.05 | 3,532 | 0.73 | 1,334 | 0.27 | 5 | 0.00 | -27,604 | -5.67 | 486,482 |
| Manistee | 5,995 | 41.17 | 8,356 | 57.38 | 101 | 0.69 | 81 | 0.56 | 30 | 0.21 | 0 | 0.00 | -2,361 | -16.21 | 14,563 |
| Marquette | 20,408 | 54.89 | 16,247 | 43.70 | 179 | 0.48 | 302 | 0.81 | 42 | 0.11 | 0 | 0.00 | 4,161 | 11.19 | 37,178 |
| Mason | 6,660 | 38.82 | 10,238 | 59.67 | 114 | 0.66 | 111 | 0.65 | 35 | 0.20 | 0 | 0.00 | -3,578 | -20.85 | 17,158 |
| Mecosta | 7,228 | 34.66 | 13,275 | 63.65 | 167 | 0.80 | 143 | 0.69 | 43 | 0.21 | 0 | 0.00 | -6,047 | -28.99 | 20,856 |
| Menominee | 4,230 | 34.49 | 7,795 | 63.56 | 128 | 1.04 | 76 | 0.62 | 35 | 0.29 | 0 | 0.00 | -3,565 | -29.07 | 12,264 |
| Midland | 19,927 | 40.96 | 28,057 | 57.67 | 323 | 0.66 | 240 | 0.49 | 102 | 0.21 | 0 | 0.00 | -8,130 | -16.71 | 48,649 |
| Missaukee | 1,999 | 22.96 | 6,598 | 75.78 | 45 | 0.52 | 49 | 0.56 | 16 | 0.18 | 0 | 0.00 | -4,599 | -52.82 | 8,707 |
| Monroe | 32,721 | 38.39 | 50,580 | 59.34 | 1,009 | 1.18 | 638 | 0.75 | 284 | 0.33 | 0 | 0.00 | -17,859 | -20.95 | 85,232 |
| Montcalm | 9,714 | 30.71 | 21,146 | 66.86 | 430 | 1.36 | 211 | 0.67 | 127 | 0.40 | 0 | 0.00 | -11,432 | -36.15 | 31,628 |
| Montmorency | 1,717 | 29.58 | 4,029 | 69.41 | 32 | 0.55 | 14 | 0.24 | 13 | 0.22 | 0 | 0.00 | -2,312 | -39.83 | 5,805 |
| Muskegon | 44,192 | 48.53 | 44,637 | 49.02 | 1,157 | 1.27 | 810 | 0.89 | 257 | 0.28 | 0 | 0.00 | -445 | -0.49 | 91,053 |
| Newaygo | 7,696 | 28.61 | 18,593 | 69.13 | 332 | 1.23 | 174 | 0.65 | 101 | 0.38 | 0 | 0.00 | -10,897 | -40.51 | 26,896 |
| Oakland | 418,312 | 54.78 | 334,629 | 43.82 | 4,694 | 0.61 | 4,746 | 0.62 | 1,212 | 0.16 | 1 | 0.00 | 83,683 | 10.96 | 763,594 |
| Oceana | 4,796 | 34.45 | 8,808 | 63.28 | 160 | 1.15 | 96 | 0.69 | 60 | 0.43 | 0 | 0.00 | -4,012 | -28.82 | 13,920 |
| Ogemaw | 3,788 | 32.24 | 7,758 | 66.04 | 102 | 0.87 | 56 | 0.48 | 44 | 0.37 | 0 | 0.00 | -3,970 | -33.79 | 11,748 |
| Ontonagon | 1,464 | 39.00 | 2,225 | 59.27 | 31 | 0.83 | 26 | 0.69 | 8 | 0.21 | 0 | 0.00 | -761 | -20.27 | 3,754 |
| Osceola | 3,226 | 26.39 | 8,808 | 72.06 | 102 | 0.83 | 52 | 0.43 | 35 | 0.29 | 0 | 0.00 | -5,582 | -45.67 | 12,223 |
| Oscoda | 1,384 | 28.64 | 3,376 | 69.87 | 40 | 0.83 | 24 | 0.50 | 8 | 0.17 | 0 | 0.00 | -1,992 | -41.23 | 4,832 |
| Otsego | 4,703 | 32.15 | 9,727 | 66.49 | 90 | 0.62 | 73 | 0.50 | 37 | 0.25 | 0 | 0.00 | -5,024 | -34.34 | 14,630 |
| Ottawa | 59,187 | 35.29 | 106,108 | 63.27 | 1,042 | 0.62 | 1,090 | 0.65 | 273 | 0.16 | 1 | 0.00 | -46,921 | -27.98 | 167,701 |
| Presque Isle | 3,056 | 36.85 | 5,167 | 62.30 | 37 | 0.45 | 21 | 0.25 | 13 | 0.16 | 0 | 0.00 | -2,111 | -25.45 | 8,294 |
| Roscommon | 5,309 | 35.66 | 9,385 | 63.03 | 89 | 0.60 | 66 | 0.44 | 40 | 0.27 | 0 | 0.00 | -4,076 | -27.38 | 14,889 |
| Saginaw | 51,520 | 50.35 | 49,209 | 48.09 | 860 | 0.84 | 525 | 0.51 | 210 | 0.21 | 0 | 0.00 | 2,311 | 2.26 | 102,324 |
| Sanilac | 6,244 | 28.11 | 15,544 | 69.98 | 217 | 0.98 | 135 | 0.61 | 73 | 0.33 | 0 | 0.00 | -9,300 | -41.87 | 22,213 |
| Schoolcraft | 1,712 | 36.64 | 2,905 | 62.18 | 27 | 0.58 | 17 | 0.36 | 11 | 0.24 | 0 | 0.00 | -1,193 | -25.54 | 4,672 |
| Shiawassee | 15,830 | 40.88 | 22,110 | 57.10 | 424 | 1.09 | 245 | 0.63 | 116 | 0.30 | 0 | 0.00 | -6,280 | -16.22 | 38,725 |
| St. Clair | 31,846 | 35.18 | 56,476 | 62.38 | 1,190 | 1.31 | 692 | 0.76 | 330 | 0.36 | 1 | 0.00 | -24,630 | -27.20 | 90,535 |
| St. Joseph | 8,824 | 31.99 | 18,018 | 65.33 | 390 | 1.41 | 240 | 0.87 | 109 | 0.40 | 0 | 0.00 | -9,194 | -33.34 | 27,581 |
| Tuscola | 9,422 | 32.34 | 19,174 | 65.81 | 296 | 1.02 | 176 | 0.60 | 69 | 0.24 | 0 | 0.00 | -9,752 | -33.47 | 29,137 |
| Van Buren | 15,944 | 41.20 | 21,816 | 56.37 | 477 | 1.23 | 336 | 0.87 | 126 | 0.33 | 0 | 0.00 | -5,872 | -15.17 | 38,699 |
| Washtenaw | 150,529 | 70.08 | 60,745 | 28.28 | 1,227 | 0.57 | 1,962 | 0.91 | 325 | 0.15 | 1 | 0.00 | 89,784 | 41.80 | 214,789 |
| Wayne | 582,367 | 67.50 | 260,146 | 30.15 | 10,804 | 1.25 | 6,879 | 0.80 | 2,623 | 0.30 | 0 | 0.00 | 322,221 | 37.35 | 862,819 |
| Wexford | 5,684 | 31.38 | 12,122 | 66.93 | 149 | 0.82 | 116 | 0.64 | 41 | 0.23 | 0 | 0.00 | -6,438 | -35.55 | 18,112 |
| Totals | 2,734,568 | 49.90 | 2,642,233 | 48.22 | 50,597 | 0.92 | 39,217 | 0.72 | 13,093 | 0.24 | 12 | 0.00 | 92,335 | 1.68 | 5,479,720 |

#### By congressional district

Despite losing the state, James won eight of 14 congressional districts, including one that elected a Democrat.
| District | James | Peters | Representative |
| 1st | 58.1% | 40.6% | Jack Bergman |
| 2nd | 57.0% | 41.1% | Bill Huizenga |
| 3rd | 53.1% | 44.9% | Justin Amash |
| 3rd | 53.1% | 44.9% | Peter Meijer |
| 4th | 60.6% | 37.8% | John Moolenaar |
| 5th | 45.4% | 52.8% | Dan Kildee |
| 6th | 53.4% | 44.5% | Fred Upton |
| 7th | 56.2% | 41.7% | Tim Walberg |
| 8th | 50.8% | 47.6% | Elissa Slotkin |
| 9th | 42.2% | 55.8% | Andy Levin |
| 10th | 62.6% | 35.5% | Paul Mitchell |
| 10th | 62.6% | 35.5% | Lisa McClain |
| 11th | 48.7% | 49.9% | Haley Stevens |
| 12th | 34.4% | 63.4% | Debbie Dingell |
| 13th | 19.2% | 77.8% | Rashida Tlaib |
| 14th | 20.2% | 77.9% | Brenda Lawrence |

### Litigation

After Peters took the lead in the election on the 4th, James refused to concede the race. The following day, James claimed that he had been cheated out of winning the election in a statement published on his campaign website. The statement said that there were "[...] deep concerns that millions of Michiganders may have been disenfranchised by a dishonest few who cheat" and that "[...] there is enough credible evidence to warrant an investigation to ensure that elections were conducted in a transparent, legal and fair manner." A lawyer for James' campaign alleged that fraud was committed at the TCF Center, which the Trump campaign had also attempted to claim in a dismissed lawsuit. James conceded the election to Peters on November 24.