When the polls closed on August 5, 2025, Detroit once again found itself facing an all-too-familiar reality: a shockingly low voter turnout. With more than 518,000 registered Detroit voters, there were approximately 75,000 voters who cast their ballots.
The primary election has passed, but the consequences of such a disengaged electorate will resonate long after the last ballot is counted. Despite the urgency of the race – one that will determine the final two candidates for Detroit’s next mayor as well as the city council working alongside him or her – and despite the promises from candidates to revitalize the city and tackle its most pressing issues, too many Detroiters chose to sit this one out.
But this election wasn’t your typical one. It was another test of Detroit’s faith in its political system, and once again, far too many citizens failed to show up. The Detroit Free Press, in its recent series on the decline of voter participation, painted a grim picture of a city that was gradually, perhaps even inexorably, losing its connection to the democratic process. In 2021, turnout had already dropped to an abysmal 22%. Many Detroiters, particularly from historically underrepresented communities, have long felt that their vote has made little difference. And in 2025, that sentiment was rampant.
The numbers, as expected, told the story: Detroit’s voter participation remained shockingly low. Only about 15% of eligible voters participated in the primary mayoral election, leaving the voices of so many citizens unheard. The turnout was a clear reflection of the deep-rooted issues plaguing Detroit – issues that go far beyond just civic apathy. Detroit has long been a city with a rich history of activism, community engagement, and political struggle, but the disconnect between the city’s leaders and its residents is now stark.
The election had representation from political stalwarts with Mary Sheffield, Fred Durhal III, and Saunteel Jenkins, as well as newly minted political figures including Pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr., Todd Perkins, and Jonathan Barlow. There seemed to be a candidate for every voter. But still, the masses didn’t show up.
For many Detroiters, voting had become a hollow exercise, something they had done in the past but no longer felt compelled to do. When people talk about low voter turnout, they’re often quick to place blame on the electorate, accusing them of indifference or apathy. But there’s a deeper issue at play. The truth is, many Detroiters felt betrayed. They watched as issues like crime, housing instability, education reform, and economic recovery remained stubbornly unsolved. They saw gentrification creeping into once-vibrant neighborhoods, pushing out long-term residents who could no longer afford to stay. In the face of such enduring problems, it’s easy to understand why so many didn’t feel compelled to cast a vote.
The Free Press’ series on Detroit’s declining voter turnout highlighted the systemic failure that lies beneath those numbers. As they pointed out, Detroit’s low turnout rate was among the lowest in the nation for major cities. And while low turnout in urban areas is not unique, the situation in Detroit is particularly dire. Many voters felt that their voices had been drowned out by the noise of political elites and media pundits who often ignore or misunderstand the everyday struggles of people in neighborhoods like Brightmoor, the Lower East Side, or Southwest Detroit.
But the apathy runs deeper than disenchantment with politics. It’s rooted in a broader mistrust of local government. For too long, Detroiters have been promised change, only to see little meaningful action outside of downtown and Midtown once the elections were over. How can a person continue to engage in a system that doesn’t deliver the outcomes they’ve been promised? How can someone continue to vote when the city’s leadership seems more focused on revitalizing downtown and attracting tourists than on addressing the dire needs of its own residents? After years of political disillusionment, it’s no wonder that so many voters felt like their participation wouldn’t make a difference.
As the 2025 mayoral primary came and went, it became painfully clear that Detroit’s leadership is at a crossroads. The election results – while still to be determined – were secondary to the broader message sent by those who stayed home. Detroiters, particularly Black voters, have long been a political powerhouse, but this power has only been effective when it has been exercised. Without voter participation, the city’s power is merely a shadow of what it could be. Many of the voters who sat out the election aren’t just choosing not to vote. They’re choosing not to demand change. And that is the real tragedy.
For Detroit to thrive, it needs active, engaged citizens who understand the importance of local elections. But that truly happens in the months leading up to it, through community engagement, through dialogue, and through candidates who speak to the real issues that matter to residents. It’s about showing up in the neighborhoods, listening to the concerns of everyday people, and responding with concrete plans for action.
However, the problem extends beyond just the candidates. Detroiters must also take ownership of their civic responsibility. We’ve all seen the effects of low turnout. It’s broken promises, underfunded schools, neglected infrastructure, and rising inequality. Yet for too many, the thought of engaging in the system feels like a futile act. But if we refuse to participate, if we let ourselves become disillusioned to the point of disengagement, we’re giving up more than just our votes. We’re giving up our collective power. And in a city that has historically been a beacon of activism and resistance, that’s a dangerous path to walk.
One of the central tragedies of the 2025 mayoral primary election was how little it seemed to matter to those who didn’t vote. When candidates only speak to a small, politically connected group, when they fail to address the most pressing issues facing the city’s poor and working-class neighborhoods, they are contributing to a cycle of disenfranchisement. It’s a failure to connect with people on a human level. Apathy thrives in that void. When you don’t feel seen or heard, you don’t show up to vote.
In the aftermath of the election, it’s important to ask yourself what kind of Detroit you want? Do you want a city where the voice of the people is heard and respected, or a city where the same small group of leaders holds all the power, regardless of what the residents actually need? The answer to that question will ultimately determine the future of Detroit, and it will depend on whether you choose to actively participate in the system or let it continue to drift further out of your hands.
Detroit’s history is one of resilience and hope. But history can only carry us so far. If we don’t take ownership of our future, if we don’t insist on accountability from our leaders, we risk becoming a city defined not by its promise, but by its missed opportunities. Detroit can’t afford to let its future be decided by those who choose not to vote. The city (kind of) has a chance to redeem itself on Nov. 4, 2025 during the general election, but if fewer than 100,000 Detroiters turn out to vote when it’s time to choose the city’s next leader, well, good luck.
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