Jonah Patel
The Michigan Constitution has been amended several times since its ratification in 1963. The constitution outlines the rules and processes for state elections, the structure and function of the state government, and the basic guidelines for the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. With provisions for amending the constitution, Michigan has seen various changes, including making certain offices elected rather than appointed and establishing an agricultural school. The state's constitution can be amended through three methods: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Constitutions approved by the people of Michigan | 4 |
| First Constitution approved | October 5 and 6, 1835 |
| Subsequent Constitutions ratified | 1850, 1908, and 1963 |
| Current Constitution approved | 1963 |
| Last amended (as of publication date) | 2020 |
| Minimum votes required in the Michigan House of Representatives to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot | 74 |
| Minimum votes required in the Michigan State Senate to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot | 26 |
| Frequency of the question of a general revision of the constitution appearing on the ballot | Every 16 years |
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![The Constitution of Michigan as Proposed for Amendment 1874 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617DLHXyzlL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
- The current Michigan Constitution was approved in 1963, and last amended in 2020
- There have been four Michigan constitutions in total
- The constitution can be amended in three ways: citizen-initiated, legislative, and convention-referred
- The Kwame Amendment bars convicted felons from elected office
- The constitution automatically appears on the ballot every 16 years
The current Michigan Constitution was approved in 1963, and last amended in 2020
The State of Michigan has had four constitutions approved by its people. The first was approved on 5 and 6 October 1835, as Michigan was preparing to become a state of the Union, which occurred in January 1837. The second and third constitutions were ratified in 1850 and 1908, respectively. The current Michigan Constitution was approved in 1963 and last amended in 2020.
The 1835 Constitution underwent several major changes. Notably, it made the Secretary of State, the attorney general, the auditor general, and the Supreme Court elected rather than appointed offices. It also directed the state to establish an agricultural school and added articles on local government, finance and taxation, and corporations.
The current Michigan Constitution, approved in 1963, has been amended several times. For instance, in 2010, voters approved the "Kwame Amendment", which provides that a person convicted of a felony involving "dishonesty, deceit, fraud, or a breach of the public trust" related to their duties in an elected position or public employment is not eligible for election or appointment to any state or local office.
The Michigan Constitution can be amended in three ways: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. A citizen-initiated constitutional amendment requires the signatures of at least 10% of the number of votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. On the other hand, a legislative process requires a two-thirds vote during one legislative session for the Michigan State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. This amounts to a minimum of 74 votes in the Michigan House of Representatives and 26 votes in the Michigan State Senate.
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There have been four Michigan constitutions in total
The US state of Michigan has had four constitutions in its history. The first was approved on 5 and 6 October 1835, as Michigan was preparing to become a state, which occurred in January 1837. The 1835 Constitution made several offices elected positions, including the Secretary of State, the attorney general, the auditor general, and the Supreme Court. It also added articles on local government, finance and taxation, and corporations.
The second constitution was ratified in 1850, and the third in 1908. The 1908 constitution was adopted on November 3, 1908, after a convention of 96 delegates lasting four and a half months, from October 1907 to March 1908. The fourth and current constitution was approved by voters in 1963 and was last amended in 2020.
The Michigan Constitution can be amended in three ways: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. A citizen-initiated constitutional amendment requires the signatures of at least 10% of the number of votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A legislative process requires a two-thirds vote during one legislative session, which amounts to a minimum of 74 votes in the Michigan House of Representatives and 26 votes in the Michigan State Senate. Finally, a state constitutional convention question is automatically placed on the ballot every 16 years, with the next one due in 2024.
The 1963 constitution has been amended several times, with many changes that could have been made by statute, adding significant length and complexity. A common theme of amendments since 1992 has been the weakening of the legislature. For example, the so-called "Kwame Amendment", approved in 2010, provides that a person convicted of a felony involving "dishonesty, deceit, fraud, or a breach of the public trust" related to their duties in an elected position is not eligible for election or appointment to any state or local office.
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The constitution can be amended in three ways: citizen-initiated, legislative, and convention-referred
The Constitution of the State of Michigan is the governing document of the U.S. state of Michigan. It describes the structure and function of the state's government. There have been four constitutions approved by the people of Michigan. The first was approved in 1835, with subsequent constitutions ratified in 1850 and 1908. The current constitution was approved by voters in 1963.
The Michigan Constitution can be amended in three ways: citizen-initiated, legislative, and convention-referred. Citizen-initiated constitutional amendments, also known as a People's Initiative, involve citizens proposing and driving the amendment process. In Michigan, this requires the signatures of 10% of voters who cast ballots in the last gubernatorial election. This is similar to the initiative method in New York, where an amendment is proposed by a petition signed by voters amounting to 8% of the votes for all candidates in the previous gubernatorial election.
Legislative amendments, also referred to as the legislative method, involve the state legislature proposing and voting on the amendment. In Michigan, a two-thirds vote is required during a legislative session for the Michigan State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. This amounts to a minimum of 74 votes in the Michigan House of Representatives and 26 votes in the Michigan State Senate. This is comparable to the legislative process in Tennessee, where the General Assembly passes a resolution for an amendment, which must be approved in three separate readings on three separate days with an absolute majority.
Convention-referred amendments, also known as a Constitutional Convention or Constituent Assembly, involve a convention or assembly of voters or delegates who propose and discuss the amendment. In Michigan, a question about holding a state constitutional convention automatically appears on the state's ballot every 16 years, with the next one scheduled for 2024. This is similar to the process in California, where the legislature can submit the question of calling a convention to the voters during a general election.
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The Kwame Amendment bars convicted felons from elected office
The people of Michigan have approved four constitutions: in 1835, 1850, 1908, and 1963. The current constitution was approved by voters in 1963 and has been amended several times since.
One notable amendment to the Michigan Constitution is the "Kwame Amendment," named for former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick of Detroit. On November 2, 2010, Michigan voters approved this amendment, which bars convicted felons from elected office. The amendment provides that a person is not eligible for election or appointment to any state or local office if they have been convicted of a felony involving "dishonesty, deceit, fraud, or a breach of the public trust" related to their duties in an elected position or public employment.
The Kwame Amendment sets a high standard for ethical conduct in public office and seeks to maintain the integrity of Michigan's political institutions. By disqualifying individuals who have committed certain felonies from holding public office, the amendment aims to prevent corruption and restore public trust in government.
While the Kwame Amendment imposes a stringent standard, it is important to note that not all felony convictions automatically disqualify someone from running for public office in Michigan. The amendment specifically targets felonies that involve a breach of the public trust or moral turpitude. This distinction is crucial, as it recognizes that some felonies may not directly impact an individual's fitness for public service.
The amendment also reflects a broader trend in the United States, where state laws vary widely on whether felons can run for office. Some states, like Illinois, bar individuals with felony convictions from holding specific municipal offices unless they receive a pardon or have their rights restored by the governor. In contrast, other states, like New Hampshire, allow individuals with felony records to hold office once their sentences are complete, except for convictions related to bribery or corruption. These varying approaches highlight the ongoing debate surrounding the rehabilitation and reintegration of convicted individuals into society, particularly regarding their participation in the democratic process.
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The constitution automatically appears on the ballot every 16 years
The Michigan Constitution can be amended in three ways: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. The state constitutional convention is a question about whether to hold a state constitutional convention that automatically appears on the ballot every 16 years, starting in 1978. Michigan is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question.
The Constitution of the State of Michigan is the governing document of the U.S. state of Michigan. It outlines the structure and function of the state's government. There have been four constitutions approved by the people of Michigan. The first was approved on October 5 and 6, 1835, and was written as Michigan was preparing to become a state of the Union, which occurred in January 1837. The subsequent constitutions were ratified in 1850 and 1908. The current constitution was approved by voters in 1963 and was last amended in 2020.
The 1835 Constitution included several major changes, such as making the Secretary of State, the attorney general, the auditor general, and the Supreme Court elected rather than appointed offices. It also directed the state to establish an agricultural school and added articles on local government, finance and taxation, and corporations.
The 16-year interval between constitutional convention questions is mandated by the Michigan Constitution itself. Specifically, Section 3 of Article XII of the Michigan Constitution states that a question about whether to hold a state constitutional convention must appear on the state's ballot every 16 years. This provision was first implemented in 1978, 16 years after the current constitution was ratified in 1963.
The automatic appearance of the constitutional convention question on the ballot every 16 years provides an opportunity for the people of Michigan to review and potentially revise their governing document. It allows for a periodic assessment of the constitution's relevance and effectiveness in light of societal changes and evolving needs. By engaging in this process, Michigan residents can help ensure that their constitution remains responsive to the needs and values of the state's citizens.
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Frequently asked questions
The Michigan Constitution has been amended once, in 2020, since the current version of the constitution was ratified in 1963. There have been four constitutions approved by the people of Michigan, in 1835, 1850, 1908, and 1963.
The Michigan Constitution can be amended in three ways: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. The legislative process requires a two-thirds vote during one legislative session for the Michigan State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. The citizen-initiated process requires a petition with signatures from at least 10% of the number of votes cast in the last gubernatorial election.
The Michigan Constitution requires a question about holding a state constitutional convention to appear on the ballot every 16 years. The last time this question appeared on the ballot was in 2010, with the next occurrence taking place in 2026.
Notable amendments to the Michigan Constitution include the "Kwame Amendment", approved in 2010, which bars individuals convicted of certain felonies from holding state or local office. Another notable amendment occurred in 1835, when the Secretary of State, the attorney general, the auditor general, and the Supreme Court became elected rather than appointed offices.
