Michigan voters are already casting ballots for the November 3 General Election, and Proposal 1 is one of the statewide questions on the ballot.

Over the past few weeks, VAAC has explained what Proposal 1 would do and why a constitutional convention is different from changing one specific part of the Michigan Constitution.

One of the biggest questions now is what a constitutional convention could mean for rights Michigan voters have already added to the state Constitution, including reproductive freedom protections approved in 2022.

First, a reminder about Proposal 1

Proposal 1 asks whether Michigan should hold a constitutional convention in 2027 to draft a general revision of the state Constitution.

If voters approve the proposal, Michigan would elect 148 convention delegates, one from each state House and Senate district, in partisan elections.

Those delegates would decide the convention’s rules and consider possible changes to the Constitution.

A constitutional convention would not automatically change the Constitution.

Any proposed changes approved by the convention would still have to go back to Michigan voters for approval or rejection.

Why reproductive freedom is part of the Proposal 1 discussion

In 2022, Michigan voters approved Proposal 3, adding reproductive freedom protections to the Michigan Constitution.

Those protections cover decisions about pregnancy, contraception, abortion, miscarriage care, infertility care, and other reproductive health matters.

These protections allow people to make deeply personal reproductive health decisions about their own bodies, health, and futures.

They also protect the ability to make those healthcare decisions with medical providers, rather than having those decisions made through the political process.

Proposal 1 would not automatically remove or change those protections.

But a constitutional convention is not limited to one issue or one section of the Constitution. Delegates could consider changes across the document, which means reproductive freedom protections could also be reconsidered as part of that process.

VAAC opposes Proposal 1 because we do not believe protections Michigan voters have already approved, including reproductive freedom, should be reopened through a broad constitutional convention process.

What could be at stake for reproductive freedom

Michigan voters have worked hard to secure protections directly in the state Constitution, including reproductive freedom and voting rights, and they have used the ballot to put those protections in place.

A constitutional convention is much broader than a single ballot amendment because delegates could consider changes across many parts of the Constitution at the same time.

There are also concerns about who could shape that process. Delegates would be elected in partisan elections from every state House and Senate district, and the convention itself would be open-ended.

Opponents of Proposal 1 have warned that wealthy donors, corporations, and other special interests could spend heavily to influence delegate elections and the direction of the convention.

For VAAC, that raises another concern: the future of rights voters already approved could be shaped by a new round of partisan elections and outside spending before the convention even begins.

What could happen to reproductive freedom protections if Proposal 1 passes?

There would be no automatic change to Michigan’s current reproductive freedom protections.

Delegates could propose keeping those protections as they are, changing them, removing them, or making other constitutional changes.

Whatever the convention ultimately proposes would still have to be approved by Michigan voters before it could take effect.

The question voters are deciding on November 3 is whether Michigan should begin the constitutional convention process at all.

Why this is different from a regular ballot amendment

Michigan voters can already change specific parts of the Constitution through individual constitutional amendments.

That is how voters added reproductive freedom protections in 2022.

With a regular amendment, voters know the specific constitutional change they are being asked to approve or reject.

That process gives voters a direct say over the specific constitutional change being proposed.

A constitutional convention is much broader. Delegates can consider changes across many parts of the Constitution.

That difference is one reason organizations focused on reproductive freedom are paying attention to Proposal 1.

Know what is on your ballot

Proposal 1 asks Michigan voters whether a convention of elected delegates should meet in 2027 to draft a general revision of the state Constitution that would later be presented to voters for approval or rejection.

Before you vote, take time to understand what a constitutional convention would begin and which parts of Michigan’s Constitution could become part of that process. VAAC is opposing Proposal 1 because a constitutional convention could reopen rights and protections Michigan voters have already fought for and approved.

You can also view your sample ballot and other election information through VAAC’s My Ballot, My Power page.