{"id":269733,"date":"2026-09-10T21:40:46","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T01:40:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/votingaccessforall.org\/?p=269733"},"modified":"2026-09-10T21:40:49","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T01:40:49","slug":"proposal-1-is-on-michigans-november-ballot-what-a-constitutional-convention-could-mean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/votingaccessforall.org\/es\/2026\/09\/proposal-1-is-on-michigans-november-ballot-what-a-constitutional-convention-could-mean\/","title":{"rendered":"Proposal 1 Is on Michigan\u2019s November Ballot: What a Constitutional Convention Could Mean"},"content":{"rendered":"

Michigan voters will see Proposal 1<\/a><\/strong> on the November 3 ballot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The proposal asks whether Michigan should convene a constitutional convention, sometimes called a Con-Con<\/strong>, in 2027 to draft a general revision of the Michigan Constitution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

What exactly does Proposal 1 ask?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The official ballot question asks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Shall a convention of elected delegates be convened in 2027 to draft a general revision of the State Constitution for presentation to the state\u2019s voters for their approval or rejection?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A vote to convene a convention would not immediately change Michigan\u2019s constitution<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A constitutional convention is broader than a single amendment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A constitutional convention would have the authority to consider a general revision<\/strong> of the Michigan Constitution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michigan\u2019s constitution addresses subjects including individual rights, elections, the legislative, executive and judicial branches, local government, education, taxation and public finance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michigan already has a process for targeted constitutional changes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A constitutional convention is not the only way Michigan\u2019s constitution can be changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those methods allow voters to consider individual constitutional changes without convening a convention for a general revision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Who would write the proposed revisions?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If Proposal 1 is approved, convention delegates would be elected before the convention begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once convened, the delegates would select officers, establish rules and conduct the work of reviewing the constitution and drafting proposed revisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is one reason the question of who becomes a delegate<\/strong> has become part of the debate over Proposal 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What could be reconsidered?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Because the convention would consider a general revision, a wide range of provisions could be discussed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, the Michigan Constitution contains provisions addressing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n