By Alethia Kasben
Gongwer News Service
A group was created Friday to oppose the proposal voters will see next November on whether to call a Constitutional Convention, saying it will advocate for a no vote “to protect the Michigan Constitution from extremist groups and politicians hoping to advance a narrow agenda.”
Proposal 2026-1 is the automatic ballot proposal voters face every 16 years on whether to call a Constitutional Convention. The last convention was in 1961-62 with voters narrowly passing the proposed constitution in 1963. Voters have rejected the three previous proposals to call a convention.
In 2010, the last time the proposal was before voters, it failed with nearly 70 percent of voters rejecting it.
If a convention were to be called, every word of the Constitution could potentially be changed. The final document and any changes proposed would then have to be approved by voters.
Protect MI Constitution from Special Interests launched Friday to oppose the proposal.
Jeff Timmer, former executive director of the Michigan Republican Party, said in a statement provided to Gongwer News Service said the coalition is building out its network of supporters.
“We are encouraged by our early conversations with a broad range of organizations and individuals who, like us, are concerned about opening the door for Lansing politicians and special interests to write their own rules during a Con-Con and enact extremist agendas without any accountability and little oversight from voters,” Timmer said.
A Con-Con would cost tens of millions of taxpayer dollars, taking away money from efforts and programs that solve real problems for everyday Michiganders, a press release from the group said.
“The Michigan Constitution has served us well for over 60 years, and it works,” said Dianne Byrum, founding partner of Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications and former Michigan House Democratic leader.
“Many citizens and organizations realize the dangers of a Con-Con and they are joining our effort to advocate for a no vote on Proposal 1. Together, we will stand up to efforts by wealthy partisan donors and special interest groups to rewrite Michigan’s Constitution to promote their extreme agendas.”
The group’s website said a “bipartisan coalition,” including small businesses, labor groups and the League of Women Voters are among those raising awareness of the importance on voting no on the proposal.
Earlier this year, Republican legislative leaders were open to the idea of a convention while Democrats were reticent to support one.
Gongwer News Service
A group was created Friday to oppose the proposal voters will see next November on whether to call a Constitutional Convention, saying it will advocate for a no vote “to protect the Michigan Constitution from extremist groups and politicians hoping to advance a narrow agenda.”
Proposal 2026-1 is the automatic ballot proposal voters face every 16 years on whether to call a Constitutional Convention. The last convention was in 1961-62 with voters narrowly passing the proposed constitution in 1963. Voters have rejected the three previous proposals to call a convention.
In 2010, the last time the proposal was before voters, it failed with nearly 70 percent of voters rejecting it.
If a convention were to be called, every word of the Constitution could potentially be changed. The final document and any changes proposed would then have to be approved by voters.
Protect MI Constitution from Special Interests launched Friday to oppose the proposal.
Jeff Timmer, former executive director of the Michigan Republican Party, said in a statement provided to Gongwer News Service said the coalition is building out its network of supporters.
“We are encouraged by our early conversations with a broad range of organizations and individuals who, like us, are concerned about opening the door for Lansing politicians and special interests to write their own rules during a Con-Con and enact extremist agendas without any accountability and little oversight from voters,” Timmer said.
A Con-Con would cost tens of millions of taxpayer dollars, taking away money from efforts and programs that solve real problems for everyday Michiganders, a press release from the group said.
“The Michigan Constitution has served us well for over 60 years, and it works,” said Dianne Byrum, founding partner of Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications and former Michigan House Democratic leader.
“Many citizens and organizations realize the dangers of a Con-Con and they are joining our effort to advocate for a no vote on Proposal 1. Together, we will stand up to efforts by wealthy partisan donors and special interest groups to rewrite Michigan’s Constitution to promote their extreme agendas.”
The group’s website said a “bipartisan coalition,” including small businesses, labor groups and the League of Women Voters are among those raising awareness of the importance on voting no on the proposal.
Earlier this year, Republican legislative leaders were open to the idea of a convention while Democrats were reticent to support one.
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