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Citizenship voting proposal kept off ballot by US, Michigan Supreme Courts

September 4, 2026

The Michigan Supreme Court has blocked a proposed constitutional amendment that would have required voters to prove citizenship, preventing it from appearing on the 2026 ballot. The court ruled that the Board of State Canvassers acted within its authority when it deadlocked along party lines over whether the petition had sufficient valid signatures from registered voters. Although organizers from Americans for Citizen Voting collected over 700,000 signatures, verification found they fell short of the required 446,198 valid signatures needed.

Who is affected

  • The 700,000+ Michigan residents who signed the Americans for Citizen Voting petition
  • Americans for Citizen Voting organization and its chairman Paul Jacob
  • The Board of State Canvassers (two Republican and two Democratic members)
  • Michigan voters who could have been subject to citizenship verification requirements
  • Election administrators and clerks across Michigan, including Canton Township clerk Michael Siegrist and the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks
  • The six individuals charged with voting without citizenship in the 2024 election
  • State Rep. Bryan Posthumus and Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall

What action is being taken

  • The Michigan Supreme Court denied Americans for Citizen Voting's request to order certification of the ballot measure. Election administrators are continuing to work on ensuring voters are rightfully registered under current requirements. ACV leaders are planning to attempt the ballot initiative again in 2028.

Why it matters

  • This decision determines whether Michigan will implement additional citizenship verification barriers for voting that could have created a bifurcated election system with two separate voter rolls and double ballot styles. The outcome reflects ongoing national debates about election security versus voter access, despite evidence showing noncitizen voting is extremely rare (only six people charged out of 5.7 million voters in 2024, representing 0.0001% of the electorate). The case highlights tensions between concerns about election integrity and fears that additional requirements could disenfranchise legitimate voters.

What's next

  • ACV leaders have stated they intend to try again in 2028. The Michigan Supreme Court suggested that the state Legislature pass new laws clarifying the signature verification process to prevent similar disputes. Election officials hope to be more involved in future conversations about shaping any proof-of-citizenship requirements.

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com