Michigan Proposal 1 and 2: What to know about statewide ballot measures

October 27, 2026

Michigan voters face two significant ballot proposals in the November 3rd general election. Proposal 1, which automatically appears every 16 years, asks whether to hold a constitutional convention to rewrite the state's constitution—a process that would involve electing 148 delegates who could propose changes to any part of the document, subject to final voter approval. Proposal 2 seeks to ban political contributions from utility companies like DTE and Consumers Energy, along with large state contractors and their affiliates, while also requiring disclosure of donors behind issue advertisements near elections.

Who is affected

Michigan voters/Michiganders
DTE Energy and Consumers Energy
Companies with more than $250,000 in state government contracts
Officials, board members, and immediate family members of affected companies
Michigan politicians and political candidates
Political action committees and 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
Former President Barack Obama
Protect MI Constitution campaign group (led by Mark Fisk)
Michiganders for Money out of Politics group
Citizens Research Council of Michigan (Eric Lupher)
Potential constitutional convention delegates

What action is being taken

Protect MI Constitution is campaigning aggressively against Proposal 1 and "pushing hard through Election Day" to encourage "no" votes
The group has spent nearly $2.7 million on the campaign (between July 21 and Oct. 18)
Former President Barack Obama is endorsing Proposal 2, having told Michiganders at a weekend rally to vote yes on the measure

Why it matters

This election matters because it could fundamentally reshape Michigan's governmental structure and campaign finance system. A constitutional convention would allow delegates to alter any provision of the state constitution, potentially affecting popular amendments like abortion access protections, while also addressing issues like property tax rates that have bipartisan interest. Proposal 2 represents an attempt to reduce corporate influence in state politics by targeting "pay-to-play" relationships between utilities, major contractors, and politicians, while increasing transparency in political advertising. Both measures reflect voter frustration with the political status quo and could significantly impact how Michigan's government operates and how political campaigns are funded for years to come.

What's next

If voters approve Proposal 1:
Democratic and Republican primaries would be held to nominate constitutional convention delegates
A general election would occur by mid-2027 to select 148 delegates
Delegates would convene in Lansing by October 5, 2027 (or earlier if provided by law)
Delegates would choose convention officers, determine rules, and hire staff
The Legislature would decide delegate compensation
After the convention's final adjournment, voters would vote on the proposed new constitution no less than 90 days later
If voters approve Proposal 2:
Opponents are likely to file lawsuits to try to stop implementation
If voters reject Proposal 1:
The question won't appear again for another 16 years

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com