Research Council Analysis Outlines Multiple Key Issues Voters Should Consider
Livonia, MI, September 29, 2026 – Citizens Research Council today released a comprehensive analysis of Proposal 2026-2 – Mop Up Michigan Initiative, commonly known as the “Money Out of Politics” proposal. The Research Council takes no position on how to vote on Proposal 2. Full analysis, a summary, and registration for a free public webinar are available here.
“Understanding the potential impacts of Proposal 2 requires a discussion of the specific issues it aims to address rather than larger questions of money’s impact on politics more broadly,” said Karley Abramson, analyst with the Research Council. “Proposal 2 has multiple components aimed at different specific concerns.”
Generally, Proposal 2 would:
- Require “paid for by” disclosures on certain political ads distributed online.
- Expand donor and spending disclosure for certain kinds of political ads.
- Restrict certain campaign contributions by regulated utilities and their principals and state and local government contractors and their principals.
Proposal 2 would make multiple changes to Michigan’s campaign finance law that address different concerns about money’s influence in state politics. Voters will be asked to accept or reject the entire proposal, meaning they must weigh the initiative’s overall merits, not its individual parts. While much of the discussion around Proposal 2 has focused on the broader questions of money in politics, the initiative’s provisions are limited to a couple of specific issues.
Part of Proposal 2 aims to modernize and expand disclosure requirements for campaign ads. The initiative would require “paid for” disclosures on online ads. It would mandate spending disclosures on “issue ads” that are, for all intents and purposes, campaign ads, including shining a light on the donors for some groups that have been able to keep that information secret to date.
The other part of Proposal 2 aims to ban campaign contributions from government contractors and regulated utilities. These provisions, which will likely face legal challenges, aim to reduce the influence that certain entities have on the political process in the hope of improving the operation of government.
Proposal 2 contains a severability clause, meaning that if state or federal courts invalidate any provision, the unaffected provisions would remain in effect.
On Thursday, October 1, from 12-1:30 pm, the Research Council will host a free informational webinar on Proposal 2. All are invited to attend. Please register here.
###
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.
