Statewide proposal
Rewrite Michigan's constitution?
Every 16 years, Michigan's Constitution requires this question to go to voters automatically. No one petitioned for it. A YES majority starts the process of electing delegates to draft a revised constitution, which voters would then accept or reject.
Voters elect 148 delegates in partisan elections in 2027. They meet starting in October 2027 to draft a revised constitution, which takes effect only if voters approve it at a later election.
No convention is held. The 1963 Constitution stays as it is and can still be amended the usual ways. The question returns automatically in 2042.
The exact ballot language
A proposal to convene a constitutional convention for the purpose of drafting a general revision of the state constitution
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?
If YES wins: how it would work
- Delegates are elected (2027). One from each of Michigan's 110 state House districts and 38 state Senate districts, for 148 total, in partisan elections. The Senate Fiscal Agency expects a May primary and an August general election.
- The convention meets (Oct. 5, 2027). Delegates choose their own leaders and rules. The constitution sets no time limit on how long they can meet.
- A draft is approved by delegates. A majority of all delegates must approve the proposed constitution.
- Voters decide. At least 90 days after the convention adjourns, the draft goes to a statewide vote. It takes effect only if a majority of voters approve it. Until then, the current constitution stays in force.
Key numbers
Who's saying what
Supporting
There's no formal "yes" committee. Supporters named in reporting include House Speaker Matt Hall, Sen. Jonathan Lindsey, and Dennis Lennox, who led the 2010 "yes" effort.
Their argument: the 1963 constitution is outdated and overly complex, and a convention could address governance and transparency.
Opposing
The Protect MI Constitution from Special Interests committee: a coalition that includes the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, the Michigan Catholic Conference, labor unions, Voters Not Politicians, and Right to Life of Michigan. Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks also opposes it.
Their argument: the constitution can already be amended, and a convention would be open-ended and could reopen any part of it.
Common ground: both sides point out that a convention could revisit any part of the constitution, including abortion rights, voting rules, term limits, taxes, and school funding. The opposition coalition includes groups on both sides of the abortion issue.
Questions
Who put this on the ballot?
Nobody. Article XII, Section 3 of the Michigan Constitution requires it every 16 years, starting in 1978.
Would YES change the constitution right away?
No. YES starts a process. Any new constitution would need voters' approval at a later election, and the current one stays in effect until then.
Is there another way to change the constitution?
Yes. The Legislature can send amendments to voters with a two-thirds vote, and citizens can put amendments on the ballot by petition. Those change specific sections rather than doing a general revision.
Who would pay for a convention?
The state. The Senate Fiscal Agency's scenarios range from about $10 million total to $47 million a year, depending on how it's run. Delegate pay is set by a 1958 law and capped at $7,500 per delegate.
Sources
- Michigan Bureau of Elections, 2026 November ballot questions (wording certified July 24, 2026)
- Michigan Constitution, Art. XII §3
- Senate Fiscal Agency, November 2026 Ballot Proposal 26-1: An Overview (Fall 2026)
- Citizens Research Council, General Revision of the Michigan Constitution
- Bridge Michigan, constitutional convention coverage (Sept. 28, 2026)
- Michigan Public, November 2026 ballot is official (Sept. 4, 2026)