Michigan voters are already casting absentee ballots for the November 3 election, and Proposal 1 is one of the statewide questions they will be asked to decide.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve shared information about what Proposal 1 is and what would happen if Michigan voters approve a constitutional convention. Now we want to be clear about where VAAC stands:

VAAC is urging Michigan voters to vote NO on Proposal 1.

Proposal 1 asks voters whether Michigan should hold a constitutional convention in 2027 to consider a general revision of the Michigan Constitution. If voters approve it, delegates would be elected from across the state and given the opportunity to consider changes throughout the Constitution.

For VAAC, that raises serious concerns about voting rights and the protections Michigan voters have already put into our state Constitution.

Michigan Voices takes a closer look at what is at stake

Our partners at Michigan Voices recently published “WTF Is a Constitutional Convention?”, a straightforward look at Proposal 1 and why the organization is also urging Michigan voters to vote NO.

The piece points to several concerns about what could happen if Proposal 1 passes.

Michigan’s voting rights could be reconsidered. Michigan voters have used constitutional amendments to establish protections including no-reason absentee voting, early voting, same-day voter registration, and the permanent mail ballot list. Because a constitutional convention would be open-ended, Michigan Voices warns that those protections could be reconsidered as part of the convention.

Delegates would have broad authority. A convention would not be limited to one issue or one section of the Constitution. Michigan Voices notes that delegates could decide not to change anything, propose changes to existing provisions, or propose a new constitution.

The process would involve another round of elections and political spending. If Proposal 1 passes, delegates would be elected through special primary and general elections. Michigan Voices raises concerns about the role that wealthy donors, corporations, and other special interests could play in those elections and in the convention process.

And voting rights aren’t the only constitutional protections at issue. Michigan Voices also points to reproductive freedom and other changes Michigan voters have placed in the state Constitution through ballot measures.

Michigan voters already have a way to change the Constitution

Voting NO on Proposal 1 does not mean Michigan’s Constitution can never be changed.

Michigan voters can and do amend the Constitution through ballot proposals without opening the entire document to a constitutional convention.

That’s how voters expanded voting rights through Proposals 2 and 3 in 2018 and 2022. Those amendments added protections including automatic voter registration, no-reason absentee voting, early voting, expanded access to ballot drop boxes, and other voting rights.

For VAAC, protecting those voting rights is central to our opposition to Proposal 1.

Read the Michigan Voices breakdown

There is much more to understand about what a constitutional convention could mean for Michigan.

Te animamos a que read Michigan Voices’ full “WTF Is a Constitutional Convention?” breakdown for more about why the organization is urging voters to vote NO on Proposal 1.

And if you need a refresher on how a constitutional convention works, read VAAC’s earlier Proposal 1 explainer for more about the process, delegate elections, what a convention could consider, and what would happen after a convention.

Then make your voting plan and check your sample ballot at My Ballot, My Power.

VAAC urges Michigan voters to vote NO on Proposal 1 on or before November 3.