Proposal 1: Constitutional Convention
Statewide — all of Michigan
General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
- Under Article XII, Section 3 of the Michigan Constitution, the question of whether to hold a constitutional convention goes on the ballot automatically every 16 years; it is not placed there by the legislature or a petition. This is the fourth such vote since the current constitution took effect in 1963. Voters approved a convention in 1961 by about two percentage points; the question was rejected in 1978, 1994 and 2010.[1][3][4]
The question on the ballot
Ballot title: A PROPOSAL TO CONVENE A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DRAFTING A GENERAL REVISION OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION. Ballot summary: 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?[4][5]
If a majority approves, a special primary and general election would elect one delegate from each of Michigan's 110 state House and 38 state Senate districts (148 in all), and the convention would convene in October 2027 (the Senate Fiscal Agency gives October 5, 2027 if delegates are elected in August) with no limit on how long it lasts. Any proposed new constitution would then go to voters for approval or rejection. Michigan Advance, quoting Eric Lupher of the nonpartisan Citizens Research Council, reports that in a convention "everything is fair game, from Article One through Article 12." Fiscal impact: the Senate Fiscal Agency says the cost is difficult to estimate and would depend on legislative appropriations; its estimates include about $10.2 million based on inflating the 1961 convention's costs, about $22.0 million per year using the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission's spending as a proxy, and delegate salaries of $148,000 to $1.1 million depending on the convention's length.[2][4]
A YES vote means
A convention of elected delegates would be convened in 2027 to draft a general revision of the Michigan Constitution, which voters would then approve or reject.
A NO vote means
No constitutional convention is held; the current constitution stays in force and can be amended only through the existing processes. The question is automatically asked again in 16 years.
The law today
Article XII, Section 3 of the Michigan Constitution requires the question of a general revision of the constitution to be submitted to voters in 1978 and every 16th year after, and at other times provided by law. If a majority voting on the question approves, each House and Senate district elects one delegate at a partisan election held within six months, and the delegates convene at the seat of government on the first Tuesday in October after their election. Any resulting proposed constitution must go to voters (the Senate Fiscal Agency notes within 90 days of the convention's final adjournment).[4][6]
Official fiscal estimate
Senate Fiscal Agency: costs are difficult to estimate. Three approaches give about $10.2 million (inflating the 1961 convention's cost to 2027 dollars), about $22.0 million per year using the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission's spending scaled to the convention's size (about $1.8 million per month), and about $47.3 million per year (about $3.9 million per month) using the Oklahoma Legislature's operating budget as a proxy. Delegate salaries would add $148,000 to $1.1 million depending on length. If delegate elections and the ratification vote could not be held at regularly scheduled elections, additional election costs could exceed $60.9 million (about $20.3 million per election); if held on regular election dates, no additional election costs.[4]
Arguments made for
- House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township): "They stuff so many things in this Constitution, all kinds of things, every time," citing voter-approved marijuana and redistricting commission proposals; "Some of those proposals sounded good, but then had intentions that the public is frustrated about."[2]
- Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Township): "I think there’s a lot of things that should be discussed. And the constitution could be a lot simpler than what it is right now."[2]
Arguments made against
- Lisa Wozniak, CEO and president of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters (coalition Protect MI Constitution from Special Interests): "A Constitutional Convention would allow political insiders and deep-pocketed special interests to take power away from the people of Michigan, which is why voters should reject Proposal 1 in November."[3]
- Ron Bieber, president of the Michigan AFL-CIO: "Michigan working families simply can’t afford a Con-Con. While a Con-Con sounds like it might empower regular people, in fact opening up our entire constitution would allow it to be hijacked, risking the ability of everyday Michiganders to have their voices heard. It’s just too risky."[3]
On record in support
On record in opposition
- Protect MI Constitution from Special Interests (bipartisan opposition coalition)[3]
- Michigan Chamber of Commerce and Business Leaders For Michigan (members of the coalition)[3]
- Michigan AFL-CIO and Michigan Education Association (members of the coalition)[3]
- Michigan League of Conservation Voters and League of Women Voters of Michigan (members of the coalition)[3]
Research notes & limits
Michigan publishes no state voter pamphlet with official arguments. The ballot wording matches the text reproduced by the Michigan Senate Fiscal Agency's official overview (which labels it Proposal 26-1; news outlets call it Proposal 1) and by WCMU's ballot guide; the Michigan Bureau of Elections/Board of State Canvassers page for the wording could not be loaded. Arguments are from news coverage of statements by legislative leaders (Hall and Nesbitt spoke in May 2025 and are quoted from that report) and the opposition coalition's press release; the Michigan Chamber of Commerce statement (a third opposing voice in the same release) was dropped to keep two statements per side. WCMU reports no official campaigns had filed paperwork on the convention question at the time of its guide; no registered pro-convention committee was identified. No campaign finance totals are included: the sources found did not give current filed totals for a committee opposing the question, and none was found for supporters. Michigan Advance, May 2025, reports Republican leaders said they planned to support the convention; no registered supporting committee was identified.
Sources · 6
Researched 2026-10-19. Green citations are official government records.
- 1.Michigan Proposal 1, Constitutional Convention Question (2026) · Ballotpedia Reference
- 2.Hall, Nesbitt support convention to rewrite state constitution · Michigan Advance · 2025-05-30 News report
- 3.Wide range of Michigan advocacy groups join coalition opposing constitutional convention · Michigan Advance News report
- 4.November 2026 Ballot Proposal 26-1: An Overview · Michigan Senate Fiscal Agency · 2026-09 Official record
- 5.A complete guide to everything on Michigan's ballot this November · WCMU Public Media · 2026-09-18 News report
- 6.Michigan Constitution, Article XII, Section 3 · Michigan Legislature Official record