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Every decision our lawmakers make has a price tag.

Right now, we are living with the costs of bad decisions that have raised our energy bills, polluted the waters where our children swim, left our homes and communities vulnerable, and put our beloved natural resources at risk. 

But this November we have the opportunity to elect leaders who believe in fighting downstream costs and protecting our state.

Your vote. Their decisions. Our costs.

Every day we see the costs of bad decisions rolling down onto our families, homes and communities—from rising utility bills, to increased beach closures and swimming advisories, to the slow erosion of funding and support for our parks and waterways. All while our national leaders abandon any commitment to protecting the people and places we love. This November, we must choose leaders with a plan to make our waters cleaner, our energy bills more affordable, our communities more resilient, and our natural resources abundant for generations to come.

Before casting your vote, use the Costs & Consequences Checklist. A candidate who’s serious about reigning in the downstream costs Michiganders are living with has a plan to: 

  • Make energy more affordable
  • Protect Michiganders from preventable environmental health risks
  • Make Michigan communities safer, more affordable and more resilient
  • Protect the natural resources that support Michigan's communities and economy
  • Fight the long-term impacts of climate change

Costs & Consequences

This election is pivotal for Michigan, and the stakes have never been higher. Our national leaders have worked tirelessly on behalf of industry to give polluters a pass and put profits over communities, while simultaneously slashing funding and critical protections.

We need strong leaders who will help Michigan hold the line and protect our future. It’s essential you compare the candidates carefully, and make sure they have a plan that puts Michiganders and the places we love first. Consider these criteria when evaluating their plans.

BEFORE YOU VOTE – does your candidate have plans to:

Make energy more affordable and reliable
Protect Michiganders from preventable environmental health risks
Make our communities safer, more affordable and more resilient
Protect the natural resources that support our communities and economy
Fight the impacts of Climate Change
Download the costs & consequences checklist
Candidate Voter Guides

how do the candidates compare on the key issues?

Issue Voter Guides

What are the top issues voters should consider?

voter resources

See how candidates and key issues stack up

Considering the five buckets in the Costs & Consequences Checklist, how do candidates actually stack up? Which issues require particular attention? 

Check out these additional Michigan voter resources and get informed before heading to the polls. 

Questions about where and when you need to vote? Don’t forget to register and mark your polling location!

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© 2026 Michigan Environmental Council

Plan must-have: Make energy more affordable and reliable

Utilities are investing in dirty and expensive fossil fuel infrastructure and passing those costs onto Michiganders. Programs that would repair our aging housing infrastructure are underfunded and backed up. As a result, homeowners are feeling the heat (no pun intended) of sky-high utility bills, paying some of the highest electric rates for some of the least reliable electric service.

Michigan should invest in clean energy that provides free fuel and efficiency programs that weatherize homes and provide immediate savings.

A candidate plan that’s serious about making energy more affordable and reliable would:

  1. Lower household energy costs through energy efficiency, weatherization and other cost-saving measures.
  2. Prioritize cost-effective energy investments based on long-term affordability, reliability and value to ratepayers.
  3. Protect Michiganders from carrying disproportionate costs for utility investments or large industrial customers like data centers.
  4. Expand affordable clean energy options including renewable energy, storage and community- or household-owned power.
  5. Plan for Michigan’s future energy needs without locking families into expensive infrastructure. 
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Plan must-have: Protect Michiganders from preventable environmental health risks

Weakening regulations are allowing heavy industry to pollute our neighborhoods and waterways. Our children are swimming in waters affected by toxic algal blooms and PFAS, while breathing in air polluted by wildfire smoke and unregulated industry. As a result, we’re seeing more beach closures, swimming advisories, and air quality warnings than ever before.

Michigan needs stronger regulations for our air and waters, ensuring polluters are held accountable for the harm they cause.

A candidate plan that’s serious about protecting Michiganders from preventable environmental health risks would: 

  1. Protect clean air by reducing pollution, particularly when air quality is unhealthy.
  2. Reduce exposure to toxic chemicals such as PFAS and other harmful substances in our homes, communities and environment.
  3. Protect drinking water by preventing contamination before it threatens public health.
  4. Address environmental health disparities and the disproportionate pollution burdens faced by some Michigan communities.
  5. Make public health part of policymaking on land use, development, infrastructure and environmental protections.
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Plan must-have: Make our communities safer, more affordable and more resilient

Lawmakers have disinvested in public infrastructure and programs that would empower Michiganders to weather the effects of worsening weather events. Homeowners are experiencing more flooded homes, streets and neighborhoods, and programs that offer relief are often backed up for months or years. And our pipes, roads and cities are aging and unprepared to support growing, thriving communities.

Michigan needs to invest in strong public infrastructure that repairs what’s broken and prepares our communities for the future.

A candidate plan that’s serious about making Michigan communities safer, more affordable and more resilient would: 

  1. Invest in aging infrastructure including drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and other essential systems.
  2. Reduce flooding and stormwater costs through natural and built infrastructure investments.
  3. Expand affordable transportation choices through reliable public transit and other alternatives to driving.
  4. Support more housing choices so Michiganders can find affordable homes in communities across the state.
  5. Invest in safer streets and public spaces for people walking and biking.
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Plan must-have: Protect the natural resources that support our communities and economy

Our leaders have dramatically reduced funding for our beloved parks and waterways. Now, our favorite trails, recreation spots, campgroups, lakes and rivers are being left unprotected from invasive species, disrepair and even possible closure. The Department of Natural Resources alone estimates nearly a billion dollars for capital outlay projects across the state–an alarming number given that outdoor recreation contributes over $15 billion annually to Michigan’s economy. 

We need to prioritize our globally rare and invaluable natural resources to ensure our tourism economy thrives and Michiganders can enjoy our state for generations to come.

A candidate plan that’s serious about protecting the natural resources that support Michigan’s communities and economy would: 

  1. Protect Michigan’s fresh water by safeguarding groundwater, wetlands and land surrounding water supplies from polluted runoff and untreated waste.
  2. Hold polluters accountable so companies responsible for contamination pay their fair share of cleanup costs.
  3. Protect the Great Lakes and Michigan’s coastline including beaches, dunes, wetlands and shoreline communities.
  4. Invest in parks, public lands and wildlife through sustainable funding for conservation, trails and recreation.
  5. Protect Michigan’s outdoor economy and heritage including hunting, fishing, tourism and recreation.
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Plan must-have: Fight the long-term impacts of climate change

Michigan is changing, and the choices we make today will determine what it costs to live, work and thrive here tomorrow. From more extreme weather and flooding to rising energy demands and aging infrastructure, Michiganders are already feeling the effects of a changing climate. We can either pay more to clean up, rebuild and adapt after problems occur—or make smart investments now that reduce costs, protect our communities and prepare Michigan for the future.

We need leadership that acknowledges the growing threat of climate change and commits to bold clean energy goals and community resiliency.

A candidate plan that’s serious about preparing for Michigan’s long-term environmental and economic future would: 

  1. Reduce climate pollution while preparing Michigan communities for climate impacts already occurring.
  2. Invest in long-term solutions that reduce future costs and risks rather than waiting to respond after problems occur.
  3. Build a cleaner, more resilient transportation system with affordable alternatives to driving.
  4. Protect Michigan’s natural resources for future generations through sustainable management of water, land and wildlife.
  5. Plan beyond the next budget cycle with a long-term vision for Michigan’s energy, infrastructure, housing and natural resources.
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