Proposal 1 asks Michigan voters whether a convention of elected delegates should convene in 2027 to draft a general revision of the Michigan Constitution for voters to approve or reject.
A Yes vote does not adopt a new constitution. Any constitution or amendments proposed by the convention must later be submitted to Michigan voters, and they take effect only if approved by a majority of voters voting on them.
Why is Proposal 1 on Michigan’s ballot?
Proposal 1 is on the ballot because the Michigan Constitution itself requires voters to be asked every 16 years whether there should be a convention to consider a general revision of the Constitution.
Article XII, Section 3 requires this question to appear on the ballot at 16-year intervals. Michigan voters were last asked in 2010 and rejected a convention. The question therefore returns automatically in 2026; it was not placed on the ballot by the Governor, Legislature, a political party, or a petition campaign.
Source: Michigan Constitution, Article XII, Section 3
What happens if Proposal 1 passes?
Michigan voters would elect delegates to a Constitutional Convention, which would convene in 2027 to consider a general revision of the state Constitution.
The convention could debate and propose changes to Michigan’s Constitution, but its proposals would not automatically become law. The Constitution requires the convention’s proposed revision—and any separate alternative provisions it submits—to go back to Michigan voters for approval or rejection.
Source: Michigan Constitution, Article XII, Section 3.
Who would serve as delegates?
Michigan voters would elect the delegates who serve at the Constitutional Convention.
The Michigan Constitution provides for one delegate from each state House district and one from each state Senate district. Delegates would be elected on a partisan ballot, with the election conducted in the same manner as state legislators are elected.
Source: Michigan Constitution, Article XII, Section 3
Can convention delegates change the Constitution themselves?
No. Convention delegates can propose a general revision of Michigan’s Constitution, but they cannot put it into effect themselves.
Any proposed general revision must be submitted to Michigan voters. It becomes effective only if approved by a majority of voters voting on the question. The convention may also submit alternative provisions separately for voters to decide.
Source: Michigan Constitution, Article XII, Section 3
When was Michigan’s last Constitutional Convention?
Michigan’s last Constitutional Convention was held in 1961–62. Its work produced the Constitution Michigan operates under today.
Michigan voters approved calling the convention in April 1961. The 144 elected delegates convened in Lansing that October and worked for seven months. Their proposed Constitution was submitted to voters on April 1, 1963, and was approved by a close vote—810,860 to 803,436. It took effect January 1, 1964.
Source: Citizens Research Council of Michigan, Michigan Constitutional Issues, Report 425 (2026).
Has Michigan ever voted Yes on calling a Constitutional Convention?
Yes. Michigan voters approved calling the 1961–62 Constitutional Convention.
The convention question passed in April 1961 by 596,433 votes to 573,012. Michigan voters later approved the Constitution produced by that convention in 1963.
Source: Citizens Research Council of Michigan, Michigan Constitutional Issues, Report 425 (2026)
When would a 2027 Constitutional Convention begin?
Under the Michigan Constitution, convention delegates would be elected no later than six months after Proposal 1 is certified as approved.
The elected delegates would convene at the State Capitol in Lansing on Tuesday, October 5, 2027, unless state law provides for an earlier starting date. The convention would then choose its officers, establish its rules and organize its work.
Source: Michigan Constitution, Article XII, Section 3
What could a Constitutional Convention consider?
A Constitutional Convention could examine Michigan’s Constitution as a whole and decide what changes, if any, should be proposed to Michigan voters.
Its scope would not be limited to particular subjects. Delegates could consider the structure and powers of state and local government, elections, taxation and finance, individual rights, education, the judiciary, constitutional provisions previously adopted by voters, and other matters contained in the Constitution. They could propose substantial revisions, limited changes, or conclude that no proposed revision should be submitted to voters. Any constitution or amendments they did adopt would still require approval by Michigan voters before taking effect.
Sources: Michigan Constitution, Article XII, Section 3; Michigan State University College of Law, “Michigan’s 16-year constitutional convention ballot vote” (June 18, 2026).
Could a convention change constitutional rights Michigan voters have already approved?
A Constitutional Convention could propose changes affecting provisions already in Michigan’s Constitution, including provisions previously approved by voters. But the convention could not make those changes take effect on its own.
Any proposed general revision must be submitted to Michigan voters for approval or rejection. That means existing constitutional provisions remain in effect during the convention process, and a proposed replacement or revision would take effect only if Michigan voters subsequently approve it.
Source: Michigan Constitution, Article XII, Section 3
What about Michigan’s constitutional protection for reproductive freedom?
Michigan voters added reproductive-freedom protections to the state Constitution through Proposal 3 in 2022. The amendment was approved by approximately 57% of voters, with approximately 43% opposed.
A 2027 Constitutional Convention could consider changes affecting that provision, just as it could consider other parts of the Constitution. The convention could not unilaterally remove the protection. Any proposed general revision would have to be presented to Michigan voters for approval or rejection.
Sources: Michigan Constitution, Article I, Section 28; Article XII, Section 3. Michigan Department of State, 2022 General Election results.
How long would a Constitutional Convention last?
Michigan’s Constitution does not set a fixed length of time for a Constitutional Convention to complete its work.
For comparison, Michigan’s last Constitutional Convention convened on October 3, 1961, and approved its proposed Constitution on August 1, 1962. The delegates recessed after about seven months of work before returning to complete and approve the final document.
Sources: Michigan Constitution, Article XII, Section 3 Citizens Research Council of Michigan, A Brief Michigan Constitutional History (2026).
How much would a Constitutional Convention cost?
The cost cannot be known in advance because it will depend on how long the convention meets, what staffing and facilities it requires, and what budget ultimately is approved. The Michigan Senate Fiscal Agency says the cost of a 2027 convention is difficult to estimate and offers several different approaches rather than a single official cost estimate.
Using Michigan’s 1961–62 convention as a starting point, SFA estimates approximately $10.2 million in 2027 dollars. Using Michigan’s Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission as a comparison produces an estimate of approximately $1.8 million per month. Its highest comparison, based on Oklahoma legislative expenditures, is approximately $3.9 million per month. Nov2026 Prop 1
SFA separately examines potential election expenses. It notes that entirely additional statewide elections could be costly, but says those elections likely could occur on regularly scheduled election dates, in which case there would be no additional election costs.
Source: Michigan Senate Fiscal Agency, Ballot Proposal 26-1: An Overview (2026), pp. 3–6.
Where can I learn more about Michigan Proposal 1?
Michigan voters can review the official ballot language, read the Michigan Constitution, and consult independent research about the state’s constitutional history and the issues a convention could consider.
- Michigan Department of State — official Proposal 1 ballot language and election information.
- Michigan Constitution of 1963 — particularly Article XII, Section 3, which establishes the Constitutional Convention process.
- Citizens Research Council of Michigan — Michigan Constitutional Issues, Report 425 (2026), an independent series examining Michigan’s Constitution and issues that could arise in a convention.
- Archives of Michigan — historical records and materials from Michigan’s 1961–62 Constitutional Convention.
More answers about Proposal 1
For straightforward answers to claims and questions being raised about the convention, see Michigan Proposal 1: Facts & Myths.
This Page last reviewed: October 2, 2026.