Michigan State Legislature
| Michigan State Legislature | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type: | State legislature |
| Term limits: | 12 combined years in the Legislature |
| Session start: | January 8, 2025 |
| Website: | Official Legislature Page |
| Leadership | |
| Senate President: | Garlin Gilchrist II (D) |
| House Speaker: | Matt Hall (Michigan) (R) |
| Majority Leader: | Senate: Winnie Brinks (D) House: Bryan Posthumus (R) |
| Minority Leader: | Senate: Aric Nesbitt (R) House: Ranjeev Puri (D) |
| Structure | |
| Members: | 38 (Senate), 110 (House) |
| Length of term: | 4 years (Senate), 2 years (House) |
| Authority: | Art IV, Michigan Constitution |
| Salary: | $71,685/year + expenses |
| Elections | |
| Last election: | November 5, 2024 |
| Next election: | November 3, 2026 |
| Redistricting: | Independent commission |
The Michigan Legislature is the state legislature of Michigan. It is organized as a bicameral institution consisting of the Michigan Senate, the upper house, and the House of Representatives, the lower house. Article IV of the Michigan Constitution, adopted in 1963, defines the role of the legislature and how it is to be constituted.[1] The Michigan Legislature meets in the Capitol in Lansing, Michigan.
Michigan has a divided government where neither party holds a trifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and the upper chamber of the state legislature, while the Republican Party controls the lower chamber of the state legislature.
Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the Legislature. Its members are elected on a partisan basis for four-year terms concurrent with the election of the governor of Michigan. The Senate consists of 38 members elected from single-member election districts.
As of the 2020 Census, Michigan state senators represented an average of 265,380 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 260,832 residents.
The Senate chamber in the State Capitol is located in the south wing of the building. Under the Michigan Constitution, the lieutenant governor of Michigan serves as President of the Senate but may only cast a vote in the instance of a tie.[2] The Senate selects its other officers and adopts its own rules of procedure at the start of a new legislative session.[3]
| Party | As of April 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 19 | |
| Republican Party | 18 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 1 | |
| Total | 38 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Democrats won a 20-18 majority in the Michigan State Senate in 2022, gaining control of the chamber for the first time since 1984.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Michigan Senate following every general election from 1990 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Michigan State Senate election results: 1990-2022
| Year | '90 | '94 | '98 | '02 | '06 | '10 | '14 | '18 | '22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 18 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 11 | 16 | 20 |
| Republicans | 20 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 26 | 27 | 22 | 18 |
House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is the lower house of the Legislature. Its members are elected on a partisan basis for two-year terms at the same time at which members of Congress are chosen. The House of Representatives consists of 110 members who are elected from single-member election districts.
As of the 2020 Census, Michigan state representatives represented an average of 91,677 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 90,106 residents.
The House of Representatives chamber in the Capitol is located in the north wing of the building. The House of Representatives selects its own Speaker of the House and other officers and adopts its rules of procedure at the start of a new legislative session.[4]
| Party | As of April 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 52 | |
| Republican Party | 58 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 110 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Republicans won a 58-52 majority in the Michigan House of Representatives in 2024, regaining control of the chamber after Democrats won control in 2022.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Michigan House following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Michigan House of Representatives election results: 1992-2024
| Year | '92* | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 | '24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 55 | 54 | 58 | 52 | 51 | 47 | 52 | 58 | 67 | 47 | 51 | 47 | 47 | 52 | 52 | 56 | 52 |
| Republicans | 55 | 56 | 52 | 58 | 59 | 63 | 58 | 52 | 43 | 63 | 59 | 63 | 63 | 58 | 58 | 54 | 58 |
*Chamber controlled by power-sharing agreement
Elections
2026
Elections for the Michigan State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.
Elections for the Michigan House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.
2024
Elections for the Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was August 6, 2024. The filing deadline was April 23, 2024.
2022
Elections for the Michigan State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 2, 2022. The filing deadline was April 19, 2022.
Elections for the Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 2, 2022. The filing deadline was April 19, 2022.
2020-2024
Elections for the office of Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2020. Heading into the 2020 election, there were 58 Republicans, 51 Democrats, and one vacancy in the chamber. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for August 4, 2020. The filing deadline was April 21, 2020.
2018
Elections for the Michigan State Senate took place in 2018. The open primary election took place on August 7, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was April 24, 2018.[5]
Elections for the Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2018. The open primary election took place on August 7, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was April 24, 2018.[6]
2016
Elections for the Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 2, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 19, 2016.
2014
Elections for the Michigan State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election was held on August 5, 2014, and a general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 22, 2014.
Elections for the Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election was held on August 5, 2014, and a general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 22, 2014.
2012
Elections for the office of Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on August 7, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was May 12, 2012.
2010
Elections for the office of Michigan State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on August 3, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was May 11, 2010.
Elections for the office of Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on August 3, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was May 11, 2010.
Sessions
The Michigan Legislature, according to Article 4 Section 13 of the Michigan constitution, must convene by noon on the second Wednesday in January. The Legislature is at liberty to choose when to adjourn, though all bills carry over into the next session.[7]
2025
In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 8, 2025, and adjourn on December 31, 2025.
| Click [show] for past years' session dates. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 10, 2024, and adjourn on December 23, 2024. 2023In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2023, and adjourn on November 14, 2023. 2022In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 12, 2022, and adjourn on December 28, 2022. 2021In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 13, 2021, and adjourn on December 31, 2021. 2020In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 8, 2020, and adjourn on December 31, 2020.
Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. No modifications to state legislative activity in Michigan were made.
2019In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2019, through December 31, 2019. 2018In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 10, 2018, through December 31, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here. 2017
In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 11, 2017, through December 31, 2017.
2016
In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 13 through December 31. 2015
In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 14 through December 17. Major issues in 2015Major issues in the 2015 legislative session included energy policy and a possible repeal of the state's prevailing wage law.[13][14] 2014
In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 8 through December 31. Major issues in 2014Major issues in the 2014 legislative session included allocation of an estimated $971 million surplus over three years, which some Republicans said should go towards a tax reduction.[15][16] 2013
In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 9 to December 31. Major issues in 2013Major issues included the regulatory structure of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, increased transportation funding, education, and pension changes.[17] 2012
In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 11 to December 27. 2011In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 12 through December 28. Session highlightsTax reformIn the 2011 session, Michigan was a key battleground on corporate taxes. Governor Rick Snyder (R) had said during his campaign he would eliminate the "Michigan Business Tax." Governor Snyder replaced the tax with a flat 6 percent corporate income tax.[18] 2010In 2010, the legislature convened its session on January 13th, and it remained in session throughout the year. |
Role in state budget
- See also: Michigan state budget and finances
Michigan on 
|
The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[19]
- Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in August of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year.
- State agencies submit their requests to the governor in October.
- The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature in February. Newly elected governors are allowed an additional 30 to 60 days after the legislature convenes.
- The legislature typically adopts a budget in June. The fiscal year begins October 1.
Michigan is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[19][20]
The governor is constitutionally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the state legislature is required to pass a balanced budget.[19]
District maps
State Senate
State House
Veto overrides
- See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures
State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Michigan are listed below.
How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members in both chambers.
| Two-thirds of members in both chambers must vote to override a veto, which is 74 of the 110 members in the Michigan House of Representatives and 26 of the 38 members in the Michigan State Senate. Michigan is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto. |
Authority: Article IV, Section 33 of the Michigan Constitution.
| "Every bill passed by the legislature shall be presented to the governor before it becomes law, and the governor shall have 14 days measured in hours and minutes from the time of presentation in which to consider it. If he approves, he shall within that time sign and file it with the secretary of state and it shall become law. If he does not approve, and the legislature has within that time finally adjourned the session at which the bill was passed, it shall not become law. If he disapproves, and the legislature continues the session at which the bill was passed, he shall return it within such 14-day period with his objections, to the house in which it originated. That house shall enter such objections in full in its journal and reconsider the bill. If two-thirds of the members elected to and serving in that house pass the bill notwithstanding the objections of the governor, it shall be sent with the objections to the other house for reconsideration. The bill shall become law if passed by two-thirds of the members elected to and serving in that house." |
History
Partisan balance 1992-2013
Michigan State Senate: During every year from 1992-2013, the Republican Party was the majority in the Michigan State Senate. The Michigan State Senate is one of 13 state senates that was Republican for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. For the final three years of the study Michigan was under Republican trifectas.
Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.
Michigan State House of Representatives: From 1992-2013, the Republican Party was the majority in the Michigan State House of Representatives for 13 years while the Democrats were the majority for seven years. For the final three years of the study Michigan was under Republican trifectas.
Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican State Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.
The chart below shows the partisan composition of the Office of the Governor of Michigan, the Michigan State Senate and the Michigan House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
.PNG)
SQLI and partisanship
- To read the full report on the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, click here.
The chart below depicts the partisanship of the Michigan state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. Michigan has had spurts of divided government and a Republican trifecta. The state had a Republican trifecta during three separate periods (1995-1996, 1999-2002, and 2011-2013) and divided government during three separate periods (1992-1994, 1997-1998, and 2003-2010). The state’s highest SQLI ranking came in 1999 under a Republican trifecta (19th). Beginning in 2007, Michigan has slipped into the bottom-10 of the SQLI ranking and has remained there since. Michigan saw its most precipitous drop in the SQLI ranking between 2001 and 2002 and again between 2003 and 2004, under both a Republican trifecta and divided government, respectively. The state had not had a Democratic trifecta.
- SQLI average with Democratic trifecta: N/A
- SQLI average with Republican trifecta: 26.88
- SQLI average with divided government: 33.31
Redistricting
- See also: Redistricting in Michigan
In Michigan, a non-politician commission is responsible for drawing both congressional and state legislative district plans. The commission comprises 13 members, including four Democrats, four Republicans, and five unaffiliated voters or members of minor parties. In order for a map to be enacted, at least seven members must vote for it, including at least two Democrats, two Republicans, and two members not affiliated with either major party.[21]
The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission prepared this document specifically explaining the redistricting process after the 2020 census.
2020-2024
State legislative maps enacted in 2024
On July 26, 2024, a three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan approved state Senate district boundaries submitted by the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) on June 27, 2024, and authorized Michigan's secretary of state to implement the plan for the 2026 elections:[22]
| “ | On December 21, 2023, we unanimously held that the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission violated the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution when it drew the boundaries of thirteen state-legislative districts—seven House districts, and six Senate—predominantly on the basis of race. We therefore enjoined the Michigan Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, from holding further elections in those districts as they were drawn. ... The Commission has now submitted a revised Senate map, which Plaintiffs agree 'eliminates the predominate use of race that characterized' the previous plan. ... We have reviewed the record before us and agree that the new Senate map complies with this court’s December 21, 2023, opinion and order. ... Federal law provides us no basis to reject the Commission’s remedial Senate plan. The Secretary of State may proceed to implement the Commission’s remedial Senate plan for the next election cycle.[23] | ” |
The MICRC voted on June 26 to approve the state Senate map called Crane A1.[24]
On March 27, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan approved new state House district boundaries drawn by the MICRC for use in the 2024 elections. According to the court order:[25]
| “ | On December 21, 2023, we unanimously held that the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission violated the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution when it drew the boundaries of thirteen state-legislative districts—seven House districts, and six Senate—predominantly on the basis of race. We therefore enjoined the Michigan Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, from holding further elections in those districts as they are currently drawn. ... The Commission has now submitted a revised House plan, to which the plaintiffs have submitted several objections. We have reviewed the record before us and now overrule those objections.[23] | ” |
The MICRC voted 10-3 on February 28, 2024, to adopt the new state House map known as “Motown Sound FC E1."
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan struck down the state House and Senate maps on December 21, 2023.[26]
State Senate map
State House map
Reactions to 2024 state legislative maps (Senate)
After the court approved the Crane A1 map, independent MICRC commissioner Anthony Eid said:[27]
| “ | There’s certainly been a lot of ups and downs throughout this process. ... There have been things that as a commission we’ve gotten right and things we’ve gotten wrong. We’re currently in the middle of putting together a report that will go over a few of those things in great detail. But I think right now we’re just happy and relieved that we made it this far.[23] | ” |
Following the MICRC's selection of the new map, Republican commissioner Cynthia Orton said:[28]
| “ | I felt strongly that Crane A1 did answer the requirements that we needed to follow and what the court had ordered. ... I’m glad everyone was able to vote their conscience, vote what they felt was best.[23] | ” |
Democratic MICRC vice chair Brittni Kellom said:[29]
| “ | I don’t think that Crane A1 is the best representation for what Detroit citizens and beyond have expressed.[23] | ” |
Reactions to 2024 state legislative maps (House)
The Executive Director of the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, Edward Woods III, said the following in a news conference:[30]
| “ | Democracy won ... Despite doubts and concerns raised, the commission demonstrated once again that it could focus on its purpose to draw fair maps with citizen input. ... We appreciate the public input that overwhelmingly favored the Motown Sound FC E1 in making our job easier. We now have a clear road map to follow in completing the remedial State Senate plan.[23] | ” |
Independent Commissioner Rebecca Szetela, who did not vote for the map, said:[30]
| “ | I wish we could have agreed to make those changes to (districts) 16, 17, and 18 because I would have considered voting for it if those changes had been made.[23] | ” |
Former state House member Sherry Gay-Dagnogo was one of the plaintiffs in the Donald Agee, Jr. v. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson case that led to the new House map. In a statement to the Michigan Advance, she reacted to the new map:[30]
| “ | While our expert Sean Trende demonstrated that the Motown Sound Map does not provide the greatest number of Black majority seats with the highest Black voting age population, we embrace the words of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., that ‘the Arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice,’ and as such we are grateful that the Agee v. Benson lawsuit yielded a greater opportunity for Detroit voters to elect a candidate of their choice in seven house districts. Our focus now turns towards educating the community on the House Map changes, and drawing a new Senate map.[23] | ” |
State Senate map
Below is the state Senate map in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle.
Michigan State Senate Districts
before 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Michigan State Senate Districts
after 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
State House map
Below is the state House map in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle.
Michigan State House Districts
before 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Michigan State House Districts
after 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
State legislative maps enacted in 2022
On December 21, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan found Michigan's legislative maps to be unconstitutional and ordered the state to draw new maps before the 2024 elections. 13 Senate and House districts were identified as being racially gerrymandered in violation of the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. In its order, the three-judge panel wrote:[26]
| “ | The record here shows overwhelmingly—indeed, inescapably—that the Commission drew the boundaries of plaintiffs’ districts predominantly on the basis of race. We hold that those districts were drawn in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution. ... We enjoin the Secretary of State from holding further elections in these districts as they are currently drawn. And we will direct that the parties appear before this court in early January to discuss how to proceed with redrawing them.[23] | ” |
The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) approved new district boundaries for both the state Senate and state House of Representatives on December 28, 2021. The commission approved what was known as the "Linden" map for state Senate districts by a vote of 9-4 with two Democrats, two Republicans, and all five nonpartisan members supporting the proposal. The commission adopted what was known as the "Hickory" map for state House of Representatives districts by a vote of 11-2 with four Democrats, two Republicans, and all five nonpartisan members supporting it.[31][32] As required, the adopted map was approved by "at least two commissioners who affiliate with each major party, and at least two commissioners who do not affiliate with either major party."[33] The maps became law on March 26, 2022—60 days after the MICRC published a report on the redistricting plans with the secretary of state.[34]
Reactions to 2022 state legislative maps
According to The Detroit News, "The Linden Senate map...is expected to create districts that could yield 20 Democratic seats and 18 Republican seats. Senate Republicans currently have a 22-16 majority."[31] Clara Hendrickson of the Detroit Free Press wrote, "The map appears to create 19 solidly Democratic districts, 16 solidly Republican districts, one Republican-leaning district and two toss-up districts, according to election results from the past decade."[35]
Beth LeBlanc of The Detroit News wrote, "The Hickory House map...is expected to create districts that could produce 57 Democratic seats and 53 Republican seats. After the 2020 election, Michigan House Republicans had a 58-52 majority in the House."[31] Hendrickson wrote that, "The new map appears to create 41 solidly Democratic districts, 46 solidly Republican districts, nine Democratic-leaning districts, two Republican-leaning districts and 12 toss-up districts."[35] She also wrote, "Unlike the current map, there is no majority-Black district in the state Senate map adopted by the commission, while the state House map reduces the number of majority-Black districts in place today. Current and former state lawmakers from Detroit and civil rights leaders are vehemently opposed to how the new district lines reduce the share of Black voters. They argue that the elimination of majority-Black districts disenfranchises Black voters."[35] These maps took effect for Michigan’s 2022 legislative elections.
2010
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Michigan's population fell from 9.94 million to 9.88 million between 2000 and 2010.[36] Michigan's U.S. Congressional delegation decreased in size from 15 to 14 seats.[37] A substantial population shift occurred from Detroit proper into the suburban areas.[38]
A Republican-proposed redistricting plan passed with bipartisan support after the House made some changes to the Senate plan. Governor Rick Snyder (R) signed the plan, Senate Bill 498, into law on August 9, 2011.
Legislators
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[39] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $71,685/year | No per diem is paid. Legislators receive an expense allowance of $10,800/year for session and interim. |
Swearing in dates
Michigan legislators assume office at noon on the first day of January.[40]
Terms and sessions
Every two years the entire House of Representatives stands for election, whereas the Senate does so at four-year intervals concurrently with elections for Governor. Each two-year period coinciding with the election of new members of the House of Representatives is numbered consecutively as a "Legislature" dating to the first legislature following Michigan's admission as a state.
Each year during which the legislature meets constitutes a "session" of the Legislature. According to the state's constitution, Article IV Section 13, a new session of the legislature begins when the members of each house convene on the second Wednesday of January every year at noon. A regular session of the Legislature typically lasts throughout the entire year with several periods of recess and adjourns sine die in December.
Any legislation pending in either house at the end of a session that is not the end of a legislative term of office continues and carries over to the next legislative session.
Term limits
- See also: State legislatures with term limits
The Michigan legislature is one of 16 state legislatures with term limits. The legislature has been term-limited since Michigan voters approved the Michigan Term Limits Act in 1992. The first year that the term limits enacted in 1992 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was 2002.
In 2022, Michigan voters modified the term limits for Michigan state legislative members. Voters passed Michigan Proposal 1 in November 2022 which changed the term limits for state legislators from three two-year terms in the state House and two four-year terms in the state Senate to 12 combined years in the Legislature.
Joint legislative committees
- See also: Public policy in Michigan
The Michigan State Legislature has no joint standing committees.
Constitutional amendments
In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.
The methods in which the Michigan Constitution can be amended:
The Michigan Constitution can be amended in three different ways—a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention.
Initiative
- See also: Initiated constitutional amendment
An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.
In Michigan, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 10% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
Legislature
A two-thirds vote is required during one legislative session for the Michigan State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 74 votes in the Michigan House of Representatives and 26 votes in the Michigan State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Convention
According to Section 3 of Article XII of the Michigan Constitution, a question about whether to hold a state constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the state's ballot every 16 years starting in 1978. Michigan is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question.
The table below shows the last and next constitutional convention question election years:
| State | Interval | Last question on the ballot | Next question on the ballot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 16 years | 2010 | 2026 |
See also
| Elections | Michigan State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Michigan Legislature, "Constitution of the State of Michigan," accessed February 12, 2021
- ↑ Michigan Legislature, "Constitution of the State of Michigan," accessed February 12, 2021
- ↑ Michigan Legislature, "Senate Rules," accessed February 12, 2021 (Referenced Ch. 1, Sec. 1)
- ↑ Michigan Legislature, "Standing Rules of the Michigan House of Representatives," accessed February 12, 2021
- ↑ Michigan.gov, "2018 Michigan election dates," accessed November 9, 2017
- ↑ Michigan.gov, "2018 Michigan election dates," accessed November 9, 2017
- ↑ Michigan Legislature, "Constitution of the State of Michigan," accessed February 12, 2021
- ↑ Michigan Radio, "Lawmakers return to Lansing Friday for special session," accessed April 25, 2020
- ↑ Detroit Free Press, "Michigan Senate approves more tax breaks for businesses," March 29, 2017
- ↑ Michigan.gov, "Gov. Rick Snyder's statement regarding passage of Good Jobs legislation," July 12, 2017
- ↑ Fox2Detroit, "Snyder signs bill to give tax breaks for Michigan jobs," July 26, 2017
- ↑ MLive.com, "'Good Jobs' bills for new business tax incentives heads to governor," July 12, 2017
- ↑ MLive, "Q&A with Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof: Energy policy, prevailing wage repeal on agenda," January 20, 2015
- ↑ MLive, "Michigan Republicans making new push for prevailing wage repeal in state Legislature," January 15, 2015
- ↑ Crain's Detroit Business, "Mich. has nearly $1B more than expected for budget," January 10, 2014
- ↑ Detroit Free Press, "Michigan GOP puts tax break atop 2014 agenda, Bolger says," January 9, 2014
- ↑ South Bend Tribune, "Michigan Legislature starts tamer two-year session today," January 9, 2013
- ↑ MLive, "Gov. Rick Snyder signs Michigan business/income tax overhaul into law," May 25, 2011
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024
- ↑ Michigan Radio, "Redistricting proposal passes in Michigan," November 6, 2018
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedjune27 - ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.5 23.6 23.7 23.8 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedjune26 - ↑ PacerMonitor, "Opinion and order," March 27, 2024
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan Southern Division, "Case No. 1:22-cv-272 Donald Agee, Jr. v. Jocelyn Benson," December 21, 2023
- ↑ Michigan Advance, "Federal court grants final approval to new Michigan Senate districts ," July 26, 2024
- ↑ Michigan Advance, "Redistricting commission selects a proposed Senate map on 6th round of voting," June 27, 2024
- ↑ Michigan Public, "Redistricting commission chooses final state Senate plan for court approval," June 26, 2024
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 Michigan Advance, "Court approves new Michigan House district map," March 28, 2024
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 The Detroit News, "Michigan redistricting panel wraps adoption of state House, Senate, congressional maps" December 28, 2021
- ↑ Detroit Free Press, "Michigan redistricting commission adopts new state legislative maps," December 28, 2021
- ↑ Michigan Legislature, "Article IV § 6" - Independent citizens redistricting commission for state legislative and congressional districts," accessed January 3, 2022
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedMICRCemail - ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 Detroit Free Press, "Michigan redistricting commission adopts new state legislative maps," December 28, 2021
- ↑ U.S. Census Bureau, "2010 Census: Michigan Profile," accessed February 12, 2021
- ↑ The Hill, "Longtime Dem Reps. Levin and Dingell could face redistricting danger", December 22, 2010
- ↑ [https://roseinstitute.org/redistricting/michigan/ Rose Institute of State and Local Government, " Michigan," accessed February 12, 2021]
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Michigan Constitution, "Article XI, Section 2," accessed February 12, 2021
| |||||||||||
