At the November 3, 2026, general election, Proposal 2026-01 will ask voters whether a constitutional convention should be convened for the purpose of a general revision of the 1963 Michigan Constitution. Article XII, Section 3 provides that in 1978 and every 16 years thereafter the question of a general revision of the constitution shall be submitted to voters. If the question is approved, the convention would convene in Lansing on October 5, 2027. If rejected, it will automatically appear on the ballot again in 2042.
Proposal 2026-01 will ask voters:
Shall a convention of elected delegates be called for the purpose of a general revision of the Michigan Constitution, any such revision to be submitted to the voters for ratification?
The Citizens Research Council is publishing a series of papers to provide information which voters may use to decide whether the convening of a constitutional convention is in the best interest of Michigan at this time. The Citizens Research Council takes no position on the question of calling a constitutional convention. It is hoped that examination of the matters identified in the papers in this series will promote discussion of vital constitutional issues and assist citizens in deliberations on the question of calling a constitutional convention.
Paper #1 – General Revision of the Michigan Constitution (published February 10, 2026) – This paper describes the process for convening a convention, examines the history of past votes on the question, discusses the possibility of a wholesale revision of the constitution, describes the nature and purpose of a constitution, and outlines the elements of the current, 1963 Michigan Constitution.
Paper #2 – A Brief Michigan Constitutional History (published February 24, 2026) – This paper provides an overview of how each of Michigan’s four constitutions came to be, the failed and successful revision attempts, and the primary issues that prompted the 1961 constitutional convention.
Paper #3 – Amending the Michigan Constitution: Trends and Issues (published March 10, 2026) – 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. This paper tracks the history of successful and unsuccessful constitutional amendments, breaking down the efforts by the articles proposed for amendment.
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