Macomb County Judge of Circuit Court - 16th Circuit - Incumbent Position
November 3, 2026 · Macomb County, Michigan · County · general · 4 seats
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: Low · 10 out of 100
This district is large for its type, so each vote is a smaller slice of the outcome. About 879,853 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(1,772,259 ÷ 879,853) ÷ ln(1,772,259 ÷ 2,133) = 10.42, comparing counties in MI (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: Unknown
No past results for this contest yet.
Low representation + unknown decisiveness → Below average vote impact.
Some data is missing, so this rating is based on partial information and capped at "High".
This office is responsible for:
- Hearing trials — criminal cases, lawsuits, family, or probate matters, depending on the court
- Ruling on evidence, motions, and sentences
- Applying state law and court procedure fairly in every case
Affected Areas: Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Civil Rights, Impartiality, Legal Competence
Candidates
James M. Maceroni
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · declared
James M. Maceroni is a Macomb County 16th Circuit Court judge and 2026 incumbent-position candidate. Elected in 2014, he previously practiced criminal and family law, served on the Macomb County Charter Commission, held bar-association leadership roles, and served on the Lakeshore Legal Aid board. He oversees a Swift and Sure Sanctions program combining supervision, treatment, and guidance for high-risk probationers.
Records: Civil Rights 1 for, Legal Competence 4 for, Public Safety and Crime Control 1 for
Julie Gatti
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · declared
Julie Gatti is a Macomb County 16th Circuit Court judge and 2026 incumbent-position candidate. Elected in 2018, she serves in the Civil/Criminal Division after more than 22 years in private practice. She is a former Macomb County Bar Association president and recipient of its Civility Award, has been recognized as a top circuit judge, and works with the county's DWI/Sobriety Treatment Court.
Records: Civil Rights 1 for, Impartiality 1 for, Legal Competence 4 for, Public Safety and Crime Control 1 for
Matthew S. Switalski
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · declared
Matthew S. Switalski is a Macomb County 16th Circuit Court judge and 2026 incumbent-position candidate. Elected in 2002, he previously served as an assistant city attorney for three municipalities and as a Macomb County assistant prosecutor. He is presiding judge of the Family Division and handles family matters including adoptions and felony nonsupport cases.
Records: Civil Rights 1 for, Legal Competence 5 for, Public Safety and Crime Control 1 for
Tanya A. Grillo
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · declared
Tanya A. Grillo is a Macomb County 16th Circuit Court judge and 2026 incumbent-position candidate, appointed in January 2026. She previously coordinated indigent defense for Southfield, served as a Mount Clemens administrative hearing officer, founded a criminal-defense and trial practice, and managed regional implementation of Michigan indigent-defense standards. She also serves in leadership roles for women lawyers' organizations.
Records: Civil Rights 2 for, Impartiality 1 for, Legal Competence 4 for
Election sources
Source: macombgovdocs.org
Source: macombgov.org