CRC's Analysis of Ballot Issues

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The right to criticize government is also an obligation to know what you are talking about.
-Lent Upson, 1st Executive Director of CRC

This page has analyses of issues that will appear on Michigan's statewide ballot at the November 6, 2012 general election. The Citizens Research Council of Michigan does not endorse candidates for office or take positions on ballot issues. In analyzing these ballot issues, CRC hopes to provide more information so that voters can make better informed decisions in formulating their vote.

General Paper on Constitutional Amendments CRC's new paper, Inserting Legal Code into the Michigan Constitution, explores the seemingly increased trend of policy advocates targeting the constitution in their initiative efforts rather than attempting to initiate law. Read the Paper
Summary Paper CRC has created a summary of the six statewide ballot proposals to provide brief explanations of each question, identify the implications if each question passes or is rejected, and offer some major issues to consider. The content is based on the more in-depth analyses of each question. Reach the Paper

Proposal 2012-01 -- Petition seeks to invoke the right of referendum for the emergency financial manager law, 2011 PA 4.
Read CRC Analysis	Webinar PowerPoint File Taped Session	Petition seeking Referendum	100 word description of ballot question

Proposal 2012-02 -- Initiative to amend the Michigan Constitution to create a new right to collective bargaining.
Read CRC Analysis	Webinar PowerPoint File Taped Session	Petition with actual Amendment Language	100 word description of ballot question

Proposal 2012-03 -- Initiative to amend the Michigan Constitution to require utilities to obtain at least 25% of their electricity from clean renewable energy sources.
Read CRC Analysis	Webinar PowerPoint File Taped Session	Petition with actual Amendment Language	100 word description of ballot question

Proposal 2012-04 -- Initiative to amend the Michigan Constitution to establish the Michigan quality Home Council, provide certain information to consumers, offer training to providers, and provide limited collective bargaining rights.
Read CRC Analysis	Webinar PowerPoint File Taped Session	Petition with actual Amendment Language	100 word description of ballot question

Proposal 2012-05 -- Initiative to amend the Michigan Constitution to prohibit the imposition of new or additional taxes or expansion of the base of taxation by the State of Michigan unless approved by a 2/3 majority of members in each chamber of the legislature or by a statewide vote of the people.
Read CRC Analysis	Webinar PowerPoint File Taped Session	Petition with actual Amendment Language	100 word description of ballot question

Proposal 2012-06 -- Initiative to amend the Michigan Constitution to require a vote of the people before the State of Michigan can construct or finance new international bridges or tunnels for motor vehicles.

Read CRC Analysis	Webinar PowerPoint File Taped Session	Petition with actual Amendment Language	100 word description of ballot question

Voting Information

Election Day: November 6, 2012

Michigan Secretary of State's Information for Voters
Information about registering to vote, absentee voting, election officials, and state law.

The Ballot Proposal Process in Michigan: A Synopsis

There are four methods whereby a proposal can be placed on the statewide ballot in Michigan: (1) statutory initiative, (2) voter referendum, (3) legislative referendum, and (4) constitutional amendment.

STATUTORY INITIATIVE is defined by Section 9 of Article 2 of the Michigan Constitution as the power which the people reserve to themselves "to propose laws and to enact and reject laws." The power of initiative extends to any law the Legislature may enact and is invoked by filing petitions containing signatures of registered voters equal in number to at least eight percent of the total votes cast in the last election for governor. The Legislature is required to enact, without modification, or reject any proposed initiative within 40 session days. An initiative not enacted by the Legislature is placed on the statewide ballot at the next general election. A law that is initiated or adopted by the people is not subject to gubernatorial veto and one adopted by voters cannot subsequently be amended or repealed except by the voters or by a three-fourths vote of the Legislature.

VOTER REFERENDUM is defined by Section 9 of Article 2 of the Michigan Constitution as the power "to approve and reject laws enacted by the legislature." Referendum must be invoked, within 90 days of final adjournment of the legislative session during which the law in question was enacted, by filing petitions containing signatures of registered voters equal in number to at least five percent of the total votes cast for governor in the last general election. The effect of invoking a referendum is to suspend the law in question until voters approve or reject it at the next general election.

LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM is authorized by Section 34 of Article 4 of the Michigan Constitution, which provides that "[a]ny bill passed by the legislature and approved by the governor, except a bill appropriating money, may provide that it will not become law unless approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon."

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT is authorized by Sections 1 and 2 of Article 12 of the Michigan Constitution and may be proposed either by a two-thirds vote of the Legislature or by filing petitions containing signatures of registered voters equal in number to at least ten percent of the total votes cast for governor in the last general election.

The question of CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION is required by Section 3 of Article XII of the Michigan Constitution to appear on the ballot automatically every 16 years after 1978.

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Last Updated October 9, 2012