Chad Livengood

Detroit News Lansing Bureau

Lansing — The Michigan Republican Party isn’t throwing a party for activists and elected officials on election night this year, while Michigan Democrats are planning a big bash at the MGM Grand casino in Detroit.

The two major political parties usually host competing events to serve as the base camp for the news media, political pundits and activists to watch election results roll in on projector screens inside a convention center and give their candidates a platform for victory and concession speeches.

But the state Republican Party is taking this year off, citing the cost and the fact there isn’t a statewide race at the top of ticket or special connection to GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump or his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.

“It is a costly endeavor and we are using all available resources to elect Republicans,” said Sarah Anderson, communications director for the Michigan Republican Party.

In 2012, Michigan Republicans held an election night party in Lansing when there was U.S. Senate race and Michigan native Mitt Romney was the GOP presidential candidate.

Elected Republican leaders were focused in 2012 on retaining control of the Michigan House of Representatives and defeating two ballot proposals bankrolled by labor unions.

Individual Republican candidates and officeholders will likely host smaller gatherings.

Trump’s campaign in Michigan has not said whether they will host their own party for volunteers to watch voting results roll in after the polls close at 8 p.m. on Nov. 8

The Clinton campaign and the Michigan Democratic Party are planning an election night party starting at 8 p.m. at MGM Grand Detroit’s grand ballroom.

clivengood@detroitnews.com

(517) 371-3661

Twitter: @ChadLivengood