Get Involved
Right Arrow
Stay informed of new research published and other Citizens Research Council news.


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Citizens Research Council of Michigan. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
September 15, 2022
Memorandum 1171

Statewide Ballot Proposal 22-2: Promote the Vote 2022

Kindly consider a $15 donation for unlimited access to this important report.
We have always made all of our publications, whether in paper or electronic format, available to all without charge. We will continue to provide unrestricted access to every publication in our library. 

To ensure continued free access, we are asking YOU to help with a $15 charitable donation (or what you can afford) to the Citizens Research Council of Michigan TODAY to ensure timely and comprehensive updates on Michigan taxes. Donations of any amount are appreciated. Please consider making your donation recurring.

In a Nutshell

Proposal 2 would amend the Michigan Constitution to include several voting and elections provisions.

If Proposal 2 is adopted, several new voting rights will be enshrined in the Michigan Constitution, many of which are currently included in the Michigan Election Law. Others would be entirely new, such as the early voting provisions. Proposal 2 would clarify existing voting provisions added to the constitution in 2018 by providing definitions for specific terms and laying out processes and procedures related to voting and election administration. Also, Proposal 2 would define and further clarify the roles and responsibilities of the Board of State Canvassers and boards of county canvassers.

If Proposal 2 is rejected, these rights would not be constitutionally protected, but the legislature would continue to exercise its roles and responsibilities for regulating voting and elections through changes in the Michigan Election Law. For example, if lawmakers wanted to provide citizens with access to in-person, early voting, as contemplated in Proposal 2, state law could be amended to implement it.

Major Issues to Consider

Like the 2018 version of Promote the Vote that contained several voting- and elections-related constitutional provisions, Promote the Vote 2022 addresses multiple topics related to voting and elections. Proponents argue that the proposed constitutional changes would make voting more “secure, modern, and accessible.” In considering the issues addressed and the specific changes put forward by advocates, voters face an all-or-nothing proposition with Proposal 2; a “yes” vote will adopt all provisions. Voters do not have the ability to pick and choose from the menu of proposed changes. As was the case with the 2018 version, the primary issue for voters to consider is whether the totality of policy preferences advocated by the proponents of Promote the Vote 2022 should be enshrined in the state constitution. Or, given the fact that the Michigan Constitution provides the legislature with the responsibility to regulate the “time, place and manner” of all elections, should these policy preferences be left to the legislative arena and dealt with through statutory law rather than inclusion in the state constitution.

September 15, 2022
Memorandum 1171

Statewide Ballot Proposal 22-2: Promote the Vote 2022

Kindly consider a $15 donation for unlimited access to this important report.
We have always made all of our publications, whether in paper or electronic format, available to all without charge. We will continue to provide unrestricted access to every publication in our library. 

To ensure continued free access, we are asking YOU to help with a $15 charitable donation (or what you can afford) to the Citizens Research Council of Michigan TODAY to ensure timely and comprehensive updates on Michigan taxes. Donations of any amount are appreciated. Please consider making your donation recurring.

In a Nutshell

Proposal 2 would amend the Michigan Constitution to include several voting and elections provisions.

If Proposal 2 is adopted, several new voting rights will be enshrined in the Michigan Constitution, many of which are currently included in the Michigan Election Law. Others would be entirely new, such as the early voting provisions. Proposal 2 would clarify existing voting provisions added to the constitution in 2018 by providing definitions for specific terms and laying out processes and procedures related to voting and election administration. Also, Proposal 2 would define and further clarify the roles and responsibilities of the Board of State Canvassers and boards of county canvassers.

If Proposal 2 is rejected, these rights would not be constitutionally protected, but the legislature would continue to exercise its roles and responsibilities for regulating voting and elections through changes in the Michigan Election Law. For example, if lawmakers wanted to provide citizens with access to in-person, early voting, as contemplated in Proposal 2, state law could be amended to implement it.

Major Issues to Consider

Like the 2018 version of Promote the Vote that contained several voting- and elections-related constitutional provisions, Promote the Vote 2022 addresses multiple topics related to voting and elections. Proponents argue that the proposed constitutional changes would make voting more “secure, modern, and accessible.” In considering the issues addressed and the specific changes put forward by advocates, voters face an all-or-nothing proposition with Proposal 2; a “yes” vote will adopt all provisions. Voters do not have the ability to pick and choose from the menu of proposed changes. As was the case with the 2018 version, the primary issue for voters to consider is whether the totality of policy preferences advocated by the proponents of Promote the Vote 2022 should be enshrined in the state constitution. Or, given the fact that the Michigan Constitution provides the legislature with the responsibility to regulate the “time, place and manner” of all elections, should these policy preferences be left to the legislative arena and dealt with through statutory law rather than inclusion in the state constitution.


Stay informed of new research published and other Citizens Research Council news.
Back To Top