Michigan Voters to Decide on Constitutional Convention in November

Proposal 1 would open the door for sweeping changes to the state constitution if approved.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 6:32am

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A vibrant, abstract painting featuring the Michigan state capitol building rendered in fractured, overlapping geometric shapes and waves of color, conceptually representing the dynamic and uncertain nature of the upcoming vote on a potential constitutional convention.The potential for sweeping changes to Michigan's constitution has sparked a heated debate, with the outcome of the November 2026 vote on Proposal 1 set to have far-reaching implications.Richland Today

Michigan voters will have the opportunity on November 6 to decide whether to hold a constitutional convention, which could lead to major changes to the state's constitution. The measure, known as Proposal 1, has appeared on the ballot every 16 years since 1978, but has been overwhelmingly rejected by voters in the past. If approved, the convention would allow delegates to propose amendments to any of the 12 articles in the state constitution, with no restrictions on the issues they could consider.

Why it matters

The outcome of the vote on Proposal 1 could have significant implications for a wide range of issues in Michigan, from education and environmental protections to taxation. Supporters of the convention see it as an opportunity to make changes the state government has been unwilling to take on, while opponents warn of the risks of opening the door to outside influence and sweeping, single-issue agendas that could create years of uncertainty for residents.

The details

If Proposal 1 is approved, voters would elect one delegate from each of the 110 state House of Representative districts and 38 state Senate districts to represent them at the constitutional convention. The delegates would then convene in October 2027 to begin the process of revising the constitution. There is no set timeline for how long the convention must last, and delegates would be able to consider any issues they choose, as long as the proposed changes comply with the U.S. Constitution. Voters would then have the final say, with a simple majority vote, on whether to approve any constitutional amendments the delegates propose.

  • Proposal 1, the 'constitutional convention question,' will appear on the November 6, 2026 general election ballot in Michigan.
  • If Proposal 1 is approved, the constitutional convention would convene in October 2027.

The players

Quinn Yeargain

A Michigan State University College of Law professor who specializes in constitutional law.

Matt Hall

Republican House Speaker from Richland Township, Michigan.

Aric Nesbitt

Republican Senate Minority Leader from Porter Township, Michigan.

Wendy Block

A member of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and the Protect MI Constitution from Special Interests coalition, which is advocating for a 'no' vote on Proposal 1.

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What they’re saying

“It effectively gives the convention the ability to propose whatever changes they want to the constitution, including shredding it and starting over from scratch.”

— Quinn Yeargain, Michigan State University College of Law professor

“I think the biggest risk is the risk of unknown, that I don't know what the convention will be, who the convention delegates will be. … Given that there is that unknown, it's effectively asking voters to open up Pandora's box, and there's no guarantee of what's in it, because there are no safeguards.”

— Quinn Yeargain, Michigan State University College of Law professor

“While there's room to update our state's constitution, most issues can be addressed without reopening the entire document – and there's no guarantee a convention would deliver better outcomes, particularly given out-of-state and special interest influence or sweeping, single-issue agendas that could stall investment and job growth in Michigan.”

— Wendy Block, Michigan Chamber of Commerce member and Protect MI Constitution from Special Interests coalition

What’s next

If Proposal 1 is approved by voters on November 6, 2026, the process to elect delegates to the constitutional convention would begin, with the convention convening in October 2027. Voters would then have the final say on any proposed constitutional amendments within 90 days after the convention concludes.

The takeaway

The vote on Proposal 1 in November 2026 will be a pivotal moment for Michigan, as it could open the door to sweeping changes to the state's constitution. While supporters see it as an opportunity to address issues the state government has been unwilling to tackle, opponents warn of the risks of unchecked influence from special interests and the potential for disruption to the state's economy and way of life. Regardless of the outcome, the debate over the constitutional convention will likely be a major focus of Michigan politics in the coming years.