At VAAC’s September 11 Friday Community Meeting, Nomi Joyrich, Michigan Director of Jews for a Secular Democracy, joined us for a deep dive into the statewide proposals Michigan voters could see on their November ballots.

The conversation covered Proposal 1, the constitutional convention question; Proposal 2, the Michiganders for Money Out of Politics proposal; and what happened to the Americans for Citizens Voting proposal that will not appear on the November ballot.

With Election Day approaching, we’re following up on that conversation with a closer look at what voters should know.

Proposal 1: Should Michigan hold a constitutional convention?

Every 16 years, Michigan voters are automatically asked whether the state should hold a convention to consider changes to the Michigan Constitution. Michigan voters have rejected the question each time it has appeared since the current constitution took effect.

If Proposal 1 passes, delegates would be elected from each Michigan state House and Senate district through special primary and general elections.

The convention would be open-ended. Delegates would establish guidelines for its work and could ultimately recommend no changes or propose an entirely new constitution.

Any new constitution approved by two-thirds of the convention delegates would then go before Michigan voters at a special election within 90 days. A simple majority of voters would decide whether to accept or reject it.

Michigan’s Constitution can already be amended without a constitutional convention. According to the materials presented at the September 11 meeting, it has been amended 39 times since 1963.

What are supporters saying?

Supporters argue that Michigan’s Constitution is outdated and has not received a comprehensive review in more than six decades. Rather than continuing to amend individual provisions, they say a convention would provide an opportunity to consider the document as a whole.

What are opponents concerned about?

Opponents argue that an open-ended constitutional convention could give wealthy donors and special interests significant influence over the process.

The materials presented at our meeting also raised concerns about campaign finance in delegate elections, stating that campaign finance limitations would not apply to those elections and that there would be no limit on campaign donations.

Opponents also point to the scope of a convention. Because delegates could consider changes throughout the Constitution, voters could ultimately be asked to evaluate an entirely new governing document.

Opposition to Proposal 1 is being led by the Protect MI Constitution coalition, which includes organizations from across the political spectrum, including the ACLU of Michigan, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, League of Women Voters, Michigan Education Association, Voters Not Politicians, Michigan AFL-CIO and Citizens for Traditional Values.

Proposal 2: Michiganders for Money Out of Politics

Proposal 2 focuses on money in Michigan politics.

If approved, it would create a state law prohibiting utility companies and corporations holding state or local government contracts worth more than $250,000 from contributing to candidates, campaigns and PACs.

It would also prohibit a corporation from receiving a state or local government contract worth more than $250,000 within 18 months of making a political contribution and require political advertisements to disclose their donors.

What are supporters saying?

Supporters argue that the proposal would reduce the influence of corporate interests in government and increase transparency around political spending.

The supporting coalition listed in the materials presented at the meeting includes Clean Water Action, Climate Cabinet, Detroit Action, Hip Hop Caucus Action Fund, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Michigan United Action, MOSES Action and Voters Not Politicians.

What are opponents saying?

Opposition is led by Protect MI Free Speech.

Opponents argue that the proposal would restrict political speech and association for businesses and government contractors and could affect employers and people who work for them. They also argue that it could shift political influence toward labor unions and progressive organizations and blur the distinction between issue advocacy and campaigning.

The materials also note that the proposal would make changes to the Michigan Campaign Finance Act that would require a legislative supermajority to amend.

What happened to the Americans for Citizens Voting proposal?

This was another important part of the September 11 discussion because voters may have heard about the Americans for Citizens Voting proposal during the petition process.

It will not be on Michigan’s November 2026 ballot.

The proposed constitutional amendment would have required documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote, confirmation of citizenship for all voters and valid photo identification when voting.

Although approximately 709,000 signatures were submitted, the proposal did not have enough signatures determined to be valid to meet the required threshold of 446,198.

The Michigan Board of State Canvassers deadlocked on certification, and both the Michigan and U.S. Supreme Courts declined to force the proposal onto the ballot.

According to the materials presented at our meeting, proponents have indicated they intend to try again in 2028, which would require collecting new signatures.

Know what’s on your ballot before you vote

One of the reasons VAAC holds conversations like our Friday Community Meetings is to give people space to learn about what’s happening with voting and elections, ask questions and get information they can use before casting their ballots.

Before you vote, take time to look at your sample ballot so you know which candidates and proposals you’ll be asked to consider.

You can view your sample ballot and make your voting plan at VAAC’s My Ballot, My Power page.

And if you want to be part of conversations like this one, join us for a future VAAC Friday Community Meeting. We meet every Friday at 12:30 PM on Zoom to discuss voting rights, civic engagement, public policy and issues affecting our communities.

Another opportunity to learn about Proposals 1 and 2

Want to keep learning about the two statewide proposals Michigan voters will see on the November ballot?

On Wednesday, September 23, Voters Not Politicians and community partners will host a virtual 2026 Ballot Proposal Town Hall covering both the Constitutional Convention question, Proposal 1, and Money Out Of Politics, Proposal 2.

The webinar will provide information about both proposals and resources participants can share with their colleagues and communities.

Wednesday, September 23
7:00-8:30 PM EDT
Virtual

Sponsored by Sigma Rho Graduate Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; Voters Not Politicians; and Washtenaw Regional Organizing Coalition (WeROC).