The third in a series of 15 papers ahead of November’s ballot question

Livonia, MI, March 10, 2026 – Citizens Research Council of Michigan today released the third in a series of 15 papers providing information to Michigan voters ahead of the November vote on whether Michigan should hold a constitutional convention.

In addition to being asked on the ballot whether to convene a Constitutional Convention once every 16 years, Michigan residents have the right to alter the state constitution through the amendment process, which allows incremental changes to the document short of full revision.

Today’s paper, Amending the Michigan Constitution: Trends and Issues, traces the history of successful and unsuccessful constitutional amendments, breaking down the efforts by the articles proposed for amendment.

Recent years have seen amendments related to electoral processes, such as the creation of an independent citizens redistricting commission; access to no-reason absentee, straight-party, and early voting; and changes to state legislative term limits. Further, voters have approved several amendments flowing from social agendas, such as the prohibition of same-sex marriage, the prohibition of certain affirmative action programs, and protections for reproductive freedom.

A review of the amendment history of the 1963 Michigan Constitution leads to several conclusions:

• Many of the amendments made changes that could have been accomplished by statute and have added significant length and complexity to the document.

• The addition of provisions of a statutory nature can result in “snowballing” of amendments because it becomes necessary to amend the Constitution to change detailed language.

• A common theme of amendments, especially since 1992, has been that of weakening the legislature.

Three articles of the 1963 Constitution have been the subject of most proposed amendments. Legislative and citizen interest in amending the constitution has largely focused on issues related to the declaration of rights (Article I), the legislative branch (Article IV), and taxes and finance (Article IX). Proposed amendments to these articles account for nearly three-quarters of attempts to modify the current constitution. These are the only articles that generated at least 10 amendments among the 98 proposals. By far, public interest has centered around state and local taxation issues (31 proposals) and changes involving the legislative branch (27 proposals), with the declaration of rights spurring 10 amendment attempts.

On November 3, Michigan voters will decide whether to approve Proposal 2026-01, which would convene a constitutional convention to review and revise the 1963 Michigan Constitution. A “yes” vote would convene the convention in Lansing on October 5, 2027. If the question is rejected, it will automatically appear on the ballot again in 2042.

The Research Council’s Con-Con series provides voters with information to help them decide, before absentee ballots go out in September, whether convening a constitutional convention is in Michigan’s best interest. The Citizens Research Council takes no position on whether to call a constitutional convention.

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Founded in 1916, the Citizens Research Council of Michigan works to improve government in Michigan. The organization provides factual, unbiased, independent information concerning significant issues of state and local government organization, policy, and finance. By delivery of this information to policymakers and citizens, the Research Council aims to ensure sound and rational public policy formation in Michigan. For more information, visit www.crcmich.org.