Update: "Know What You Sign!" Learn About Michigan's Upcoming Ballot Proposals

As we look ahead to the November 2026 midterm elections, petition drives for statewide ballot proposals are gearing up in Michigan. The current projection is that as many as seven proposals will be on the ballot in Michigan.

Last updated: March 18, 2026

In Michigan, voters can initiate three kinds of statewide ballot proposals to create the change they want:

1. To initiate new legislation, amend or repeal existing laws

2. Subject newly enacted laws to a referendum vote

3. Amend the state constitution. 

If these ballot proposals pass, action depends on the type of proposal: new legislation is created, bypassing the legislature; voters are asked to approve or reject a newly passed law in a referendum; or the state constitution is amended. The number of valid signatures required varies with the kind of ballot proposal.

The LWV is opposed to the three petitions that make it harder for people to vote when our elections are already safe and secure: Americans for Citizen Voting #1, Americans for Citizen Voting #2, and Protect Voters’ Rights.

The possible proposals in Michigan:

1. Michigan Constitutional Convention (Mandatory Vote)

• No signatures required

• Proposal:

  • A constitutional convention to draft a general revision of the State Constitution.

  • Shall a convention of elected delegates be convened in 2027 to draft a revised constitution for voter approval or rejection?

    
    

2. Americans for Citizen Voting #1 (Constitutional Amendment)

• Need 446,198 valid signatures by 7/6/2026

• Proposes to:

  • Require the Secretary of State to:

    • Verify the citizenship of all registered voters

    • Document citizenship

    • Remove non-citizens using government records

    • Track separate eligibility for federal and state/local elections

  • Prohibit counting ballots from voters with unverified citizenship unless documents are provided within 6 days after the election

  • Require proof of citizenship (birth certificate, passport, or similar) for new registrations

  • Eliminate the affidavit alternative for voters without a photo ID

  • Require photo ID, driver’s license, or partial Social Security number for absentee voting

  • Require a state-funded hardship program to obtain documents

  • Impose penalties of up to a $1,000 fine and/or 5 years imprisonment for violations

    
    

3. Americans for Citizen Voting #2 (Constitutional Amendment)

• Need 446,198 valid signatures by 7/6/2026

• Proposes to:

  • Require citizenship verification through a statewide program

  • Require document submission or provisional voting; remove non-citizens after notice and 45-day rebuttal period

  • Require proof of citizenship (birth certificate, passport, or similar)

  • Track separate federal and state/local election eligibility

  • Beginning 11/2/2027, prohibit counting ballots from voters with unverified citizenship unless documentation is provided within 6 days after the election

  • Eliminate the affidavit alternative for voters without a photo ID

  • Require photo ID, driver’s license, or partial Social Security number for absentee voting

  • Require a state-funded hardship program to obtain documents

  • Impose penalties of up to a $1,000 fine and/or 5 years imprisonment

    
    

4. Protect Voters' Rights (Constitutional Amendment)

• Need 446,198 valid signatures by 7/6/2026

• Proposes to:

  • Require the Secretary of State to:

    • Verify the citizenship of all registered voters

    • Document citizenship

    • Remove non-citizens using government records

    • Track separate eligibility for federal and state/local elections

  • Prohibit counting ballots from voters with unverified citizenship unless documents are provided within 6 days after the election

  • Require proof of citizenship for new registrations (birth certificate, passport, or similar)

  • Eliminate the affidavit alternative for voters without a photo ID

  • Require photo ID, driver’s license, or partial Social Security number for absentee voting

  • Require a state-funded hardship program

  • Impose penalties of up to a $1,000 fine and/or 5 years imprisonment

    
    

5. AxMITax (Constitutional Amendment)

• Need 446,198 valid signatures by 7/6/2026

• Proposes to:

  • Eliminate real and personal property taxes (currently funding schools, municipalities, counties, parks, etc.)

  • Increase the portion of state sales tax distributed:

    • Cities, townships, villages: from 10% to 13.3%

    • Counties: from 0% to 6.67%

  • Redirect 10% of revenue from income, marijuana, alcohol, and tobacco taxes to local governments

  • Restrict use of these funds to essential government and infrastructure services (excluding schools, community colleges, parks, and some local services)

  • Require:

    • 60% voter approval for local tax increases

    • 2/3 legislative approval for tax increases greater than 0.1% over 5 years

      
      

6. Voters to Stop Pay Cuts (Referendum)

• Need 223,099 valid signatures (90 days prior to election)

• Seeks to repeal Public Act 1 of 2025, which would:

  • Lower minimum wage:

    • $13.73 → $13.29 (2026)

    • $15.00 → $14.16 (2027)

    • Continue with inflation-based increases

  • Increase tipped worker wage gradually:

    • 48% (2025) → 100% (2030)

  • Eliminate civil fines for employers not paying minimum wage

• Effect:

  • Would suspend the law and place it on the ballot for voter approval or rejection

    
    

7. Michiganders for Money Out of Politics (Initiative)

• Need 356,958 valid signatures by 5/27/2026

• Proposes to:

  • Prohibit campaign contributions from:

    • Regulated electric and gas utilities

    • Contractors with over $250,000 in government contracts

    • Individuals and organizations connected to those entities

  • Expand campaign finance laws to cover political communications that identify candidates or ballot issues (even without explicit advocacy)

  • Require disclosure of funding sources for internet political communications