A Guide to Key U.S. Senate Races in Maine, Michigan, and Ohio

Maine, Michigan, and Ohio Senate Races Face High Youth Voter Turnout

On Tuesday, Nov. 3, voters in Maine, Michigan, and Ohio will head to the polls for three of the most fiercely contested U.S. Senate races in the country, where slim margins between candidates could ultimately decide control of the chamber. According to a Youth Electoral Significance Index published by Tufts’ Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), these three states are ranked first, second, and third nationwide for elections where young voters possess the statistical weight to swing the outcome.

Nationwide, approximately 50 million young people between the ages of 18 and 29 are eligible to vote this year, a pool that includes more than 8 million newly eligible voters since the 2024 election. These three specific state contests have drawn intense national attention as both political parties fight for control of the Senate.

Susan Collins Defends Seat Against Troy Jackson in Maine

In Maine, Republican Sen. Susan Collins is seeking a sixth term in one of the most closely watched contests in the nation. She faces former state Senate president and Democratic nominee Troy Jackson. Even though Maine has voted for the Democratic presidential nominee in every election since 1992, voters have elected Collins for five consecutive terms, reflecting the state's unusual mix of ticket-splitting and independent leanings.

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Democrats hope to flip the seat, though their candidate selection process hit a roadblock in July when Jackson replaced their original nominee, Graham Platner, who withdrew following sexual assault allegations. Recent polling illustrates a tight race. A late September poll from The New York Times placed Collins ahead with 49% to 46%, while an early October poll conducted by Marist showed Jackson leading 51% to 47%.

Young voters in the state are paying close attention. Tufts sophomore Eliot Wertheimer, who is from the Portland area, noted the blurry partisan lines in his home state. “I know a lot of Democrats who will still vote for Susan Collins because of her unique ability to bring money back for the state,” he said.

Guide to Senate races in Maine, Michigan, Ohio — Photo: europesays.com

CIRCLE data indicates that Maine recorded the second-highest youth turnout in the nation at 60% during the 2024 election. Young voters also stood out as the sole age demographic to back Collins’ Democratic opponent in 2020.

Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers Compete for Open Seat in Michigan

Michigan features an open Senate seat following the retirement of Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. Republicans have not won a Senate race in the state since 1994. The Democratic nominee is Abdul El-Sayed, the former director of the Detroit Health Department, who defeated Rep. Haley Stevens in the August primary. He faces Mike Rogers, a former U.S. representative who lost a bid for Michigan’s other Senate seat in 2024.

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Intraparty tensions surfaced when Stevens endorsed Rogers on Sunday, alleging that El-Sayed told her she was not welcome in his campaign. Democratic leaders in Michigan quickly rallied behind El-Sayed and announced that Stevens is no longer a member of the state party. A late October Detroit News poll showed El-Sayed leading 51.4% to 45.1%.

Michigan matches its high-stakes environment with strong youth participation. CIRCLE data points to a 58% youth turnout in 2024, marking the third-highest rate across the country.

Where Maine's high-profile Senate race stands entering Election Day

Jon Husted Defends Seat Against Sherrod Brown in Ohio

Ohio’s Senate race is a special election for the seat left vacant when Vice President JD Vance assumed office in January 2025, which was subsequently filled by Sen. Jon Husted. Husted is defending the seat against former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, who lost his reelection bid in 2024 after serving three terms.

While Ohio has shifted increasingly toward the Republican Party—particularly after President Trump won the state by more than 11 points in 2024—Brown built a reputation for winning statewide elections by appealing directly to working-class voters. Early October polling from CNN found Brown leading 49% to 43%, and a Fox News poll later that month showed Brown ahead 52% to 47%.

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While youth participation in Ohio has historically hovered around average or lower figures compared to other states, CIRCLE notes that the state remains an important area for young voters looking to influence policy outcomes.

Peter Levine, associate dean for academic affairs and a professor of political science at Tufts, emphasized the broader role of information in shaping voter habits. “I think substantive, reliable news coverage is what’s most important,” Levine said. “Too much news coverage about elections is about who’s going to win. … The question you should ask as a voter is, ‘What kind of country do I want?’ and then, ‘Who should I vote for then?’”