Michigan voters will see Proposal 1 on the November 3 ballot.

The proposal asks whether Michigan should convene a constitutional convention, sometimes called a Con-Con, in 2027 to draft a general revision of the Michigan Constitution.

This question appears automatically every 16 years under Article XII, Section 3 of the Michigan Constitution. It was not placed on the ballot through a petition campaign or by the Legislature.

What exactly does Proposal 1 ask?

The official ballot question asks:

Shall a convention of elected delegates be convened in 2027 to draft a general revision of the State Constitution for presentation to the state’s voters for their approval or rejection?

A vote to convene a convention would not immediately change Michigan’s constitution.

Instead, it would begin a process to elect convention delegates, hold the convention, and develop proposed constitutional revisions. Whatever the convention ultimately proposed would have to go back before Michigan voters for approval or rejection.

A constitutional convention is broader than a single amendment

One of the most important things to understand about Proposal 1 is the difference between a constitutional convention and a ballot proposal that changes one specific part of the constitution.

A constitutional convention would have the authority to consider a general revision of the Michigan Constitution.

Michigan’s constitution addresses subjects including individual rights, elections, the legislative, executive and judicial branches, local government, education, taxation and public finance.

That does not mean a convention would necessarily change every part of the constitution. It does mean delegates could consider changes across a much broader range of subjects than voters see in a typical constitutional amendment.

Michigan already has a process for targeted constitutional changes

A constitutional convention is not the only way Michigan’s constitution can be changed.

The constitution allows amendments to be proposed by the Legislature and submitted to voters. Michigan residents can also propose constitutional amendments through the petition process.

Those methods allow voters to consider individual constitutional changes without convening a convention for a general revision.

Michigan voters have used the amendment process many times since the current constitution took effect, including to make changes involving voting and elections.

Who would write the proposed revisions?

If Proposal 1 is approved, convention delegates would be elected before the convention begins.

Once convened, the delegates would select officers, establish rules and conduct the work of reviewing the constitution and drafting proposed revisions.

That is one reason the question of who becomes a delegate has become part of the debate over Proposal 1.

Opponents have raised concerns about the potential influence of political organizations, wealthy donors, lobbyists, and other interests in delegate elections and during the convention process. They have also raised questions about what campaign finance and disclosure requirements would apply to constitutional convention delegate campaigns.

What could be reconsidered?

Because the convention would consider a general revision, a wide range of provisions could be discussed.

For example, the Michigan Constitution contains provisions addressing:

• Voting and elections
• Individual rights
• Legislative and executive powers
• Courts
• Education and public universities
• Local government
• Taxation and government finance
• Public employee systems
• Constitutional amendments and ballot initiatives

What concerns are being raised about Proposal 1?

A bipartisan coalition of more than 30 policy and advocacy organizations representing a wide range of interests and priorities is opposing Proposal 1. The coalition includes organizations that often disagree on policy but share concerns about opening Michigan’s constitution to a general revision.

Opponents argue that a constitutional convention would open Michigan’s constitution to a much broader revision process than a ballot proposal addressing one specific issue.

The convention could consider changes across the constitution

Opponents argue that this broad authority creates uncertainty because many areas of the constitution could be reconsidered at once, rather than through one targeted amendment at a time.

Special interests could try to influence delegate elections

Opponents argue that delegate elections could give wealthy donors, political organizations, lobbyists, and out-of-state interests significant opportunities to influence who participates in rewriting Michigan’s constitution.

A convention would cost public money

A constitutional convention would involve an election for delegates, the operation of the convention itself, and another statewide vote on whatever constitutional revisions the convention ultimately proposes.

Opponents of Proposal 1 estimate that the process could cost Michigan taxpayers nearly $80 million and argue that those public dollars could instead be used for other state needs.

Michigan has been asked this question before

Michigan has had four state constitutions, adopted in 1835, 1850, 1908 and 1963.

The current constitution came out of the 1961-62 constitutional convention and was approved by voters in 1963.

Since then, the automatic constitutional convention question has appeared on the ballot in 1978, 1994 and 2010. Michigan voters rejected holding a new convention by large margins each time.

Because the constitution requires the question to return every 16 years, voters are being asked again in 2026.

Where VAAC will be discussing Proposal 1

VAAC is including Proposal 1 in our voter education work ahead of the November election. At upcoming community events and trainings, we will explain what Proposal 1 asks, what a constitutional convention would set in motion, and the concerns being raised about opening Michigan’s constitution to a general revision.

We’ll continue sharing additional opportunities as new presentations are confirmed.

Friday, September 11: DFA 313 Votes: Our Power at the Polls

VAAC will provide information about Michigan’s November ballot proposals, with particular attention to Proposal 1, during DFA 313 Votes: Our Power at the Polls at Pages Bookshop in Detroit.

The event will also include a screening of Selma Sisters March On, followed by discussion and creative storytelling.

6:00 to 8:00 PM
Librería Pages
19560 Grand River Ave.
Detroit, MI 48223

Saturday, September 12: Community Voter Education at Crossroads of Michigan

VAAC and Crossroads of Michigan will host a free community voter education program covering voter registration, voting rights, early and absentee voting, Election Day voting, and what voters can expect to see on their November ballots, including Proposal 1.

10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Crossroads of Michigan
2424 W. Grand Boulevard
Detroit, MI 48208

Registration is required to attend this event.

Saturday, September 12: Voter Education Training at Pontiac Public Library

VAAC will provide voter education at the Pontiac Public Library during a training hosted by Demetris Knuckles El and Marcus Kelley.

Proposal 1 will be among the ballot issues discussed.

De 13:00 a 17:00 horas.
Biblioteca Pública de Pontiac
60 E. Pike St., #2225
Pontiac, MI 48342

Monday, September 14: September Community Conversation

VAAC will not be presenting at this event, but we want to share another opportunity for voters to learn specifically about Michigan’s constitutional convention question.

State Rep. Stephanie A. Young will host a September Community Conversation: Michigan’s Constitutional Convention Question at the Redford Community Center.

10:00 a. m.
Centro comunitario de Redford
12121 Hemingway
Redford Township, MI 48239

The conversation will also be available on Facebook Live.

Tuesday, September 15: Día Nacional del Registro de Votantes

VAAC will provide a virtual voter education training for the Southfield chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha on National Voter Registration Day.

The presentation will include information about Proposal 1 and other questions Michigan voters will see on their November ballots.

Know what Proposal 1 would set in motion

Proposal 1 is different from a ballot proposal asking voters to approve one specific constitutional change.

The November vote will determine whether Michigan begins the process of electing delegates and convening a constitutional convention in 2027 to consider a general revision of the state constitution. Any revision produced by that convention would have to return to Michigan voters for another vote before it could take effect.

VAAC will continue providing voter education about Proposal 1 in the weeks leading up to Election Day, including how the constitutional convention process would work, what could be reconsidered through a general revision, and the concerns being raised about special-interest influence, delegate elections, cost, and opening the constitution to broad revision.