"Know What You Sign!" Forum

Understanding the Content in Michigan's Possible Nine 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 nine proposals will be on the ballot in Michigan.

To help us all understand what each proposal clearly states, The The League of Women Voters of Leelanau County is presenting a public forum on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, noon to 2:pm, to begin to educate voters on what potential petitions will be circulating and to discuss in depth one of those proposals.

The meeting will be held at the Leelanau County Government Center (8527 E Government Center Drive, off M204 in Suttons Bay Township). The public is invited and attendees are encouraged to bring a sack lunch and a non-alcoholic drink of their choice.

The forum title is Direct Democracy: Know What You Sign! and Money Out of Politics.  Why Direct Democracy? Because 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 are passed by the voters, action is taken depending on the type of proposal that passed: New legislation is created bypassing the legislature; voters will be asked to vote on a newly passed law in a referendum; or the state constitution can be amended. The number of valid signatures required varies with the kind of ballot proposal.

The possible proposals that will be explained at the forum include:

1. MI Constitutional Convention. Every 16 years, the MI state constitution requires this vote on whether to call a constitutional convention.  This will be on the ballot and needs no signatures.

2. AxMITax. A constitutional amendment to restructure state taxes.

3. Protect Voters' Rights. A constitutional amendment requiring documentary proof of citizenship.

4. Americans for Citizens Voting – Version 1. A constitutional amendment requiring documentary proof of citizenship.

5. Americans for Citizens Voting – Version 2. A constitutional amendment requiring documentary proof of citizenship.

6. Rank MI Vote. A constitutional amendment to make rank voting effective in 2029.

7. Voters to Stop Pay Cuts. A referendum to repeal Public Act 1 of 2025.

8. Invest in MI Kids. A constitutional amendment to increase taxes on those making $1 million dollars as a couple or $500,000 as an individual to be used only for education.

9. Michiganders for Money Out of Politics. A citizen-initiated law that would ban political spending by monopoly utilities and large state contractors.

For longer explanations of each of these proposals, go to https://lwvmi.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/KnowWhatYouSignBallot-Proposals.pdf

Following the discussion of the possible ballot proposals, Sean McBrearty, Michigan Director of Clean Water Action & Co-Director of Money Out of Politics (MOP), will describe his group’s efforts to prohibit regulated electric and gas utilities, contractors with over $250,000 annually in government contracts and people and organizations with substantial connections to these utilities/contractors from making direct or indirect campaign contributions to those who run for or hold offices that impact those utilities or businesses.

For over 100 years, the League of Women Voters has been a trusted source of information about elections and public policy. The League of Women Voters is a national, political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in their government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.  The League is non-partisan and as an organization does not endorse or oppose candidates or political parties.