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

Livonia, MI, April 7, 2026 – Citizens Research Council of Michigan today released the fifth in a series of 15 papers providing information to Michigan voters ahead of the November ballot question, Proposal 1, which asks whether Michigan should hold a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con). The series discusses each of the 12 articles of the Michigan Constitution and offers history and other important background information on past Con-Cons.

The latest paper, Article II – Elections, addresses how the Constitution’s elections provisions set the basic rules for who can vote, how elections are run, what powers voters have to repeal state laws and approve new ones, and recall elected officials.

The paper points out several inoperative provisions of Article II that currently violate the U.S. Constitution and federal law, including:

• Voting Age: The state constitution still lists the age as 21, though the 26th Amendment lowered it to 18.
• Property Ownership: A provision requiring property ownership to vote on bond issues or tax increases has been ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.
• Federal Term Limits: Michigan’s attempt to limit terms for U.S. Senators and Representatives is legally unenforceable.

Article II – Elections addresses major points of discussion for a potential convention, including voter qualifications and whether to require documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration, replacing the current system of self-attestation.

A convention may wrangle with what to do with the changes adopted in 2018 and 2022 that added significant details to the constitution (growing Section 2 from 111 to over 1,350 words). While they expanded voting access (early voting, no-reason absentee), they also “locked in” specific policies that can now only be changed by a statewide vote rather than through the legislature.

A convention also may discuss recall, initiative, and referendum tools that allow citizens to bypass the legislature. The report notes that they are increasingly used by special interests to “referenda-proof” laws or to bypass the governor’s veto.

The Research Council’s Con-Con series strives to provide voters with information to help them decide 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.