Updating the Michigan Constitution

Michigan's constitution has a provision that calls for a vote by the people every 16 years as to whether they want to call a Constitutional Convention to review and re write the constitution.

Each time it has been before the electorate (1974 and 1994) it has been overwhelmingly defeated.

In November 2010 the people will get another chance to vote if they want to amend their constitution via a Constitutional Convention.

If the people approve the ballot proposal (Proposal 10-1) then there will be an election in 2011 to elect delegates to the convention (February primary and May general election). Each current House district will elect one delegate and each Senate District will elect one delegate. it is a partisan election. If a district does not have a delegate elected (none runs) then the Governor gets to fill that slot or if a vacancy occurs the Governor appoints the replacement (must be of same political party as vacating delegate).

The Convention will be reaquired to meet in the Fall of 2011 and continue meeting until they adjourn permanently the Convention.

The Convention delegates will organize themselves similar to the legislature: officers, Convention rules, etc..

Some observers say that the election of delegates (primary and general) could cost more than $50 million and that the cost of operating the Convention, paying the delegates, expenses, etc., could exceed $30 million.

One of the great fears in having a Constitutional Convention is that one ideological group or sector will control the election process and thereby control the output of the convention (conservatives versus liberal and/or Republican Party versus the Democratic Party). Others fear that the convention will be overrun by pro gun, anti abortion, pro choice or some other pro/con group--single issue politics will control and not what is best overall for Michigan.

What issues might come before this 2011 Michigan Constitutional Convention? Hmmmm.