This November, a ballot proposal will ask Michigan voters if the state constitution, ratified in 1963, should be completely rewritten by way of a constitutional convention, otherwise known as con-con.
“Shall a convention of elected delegates be convened in 2027 to draft a general revision of the State Constitution for presentation to the state’s voters for their approval or rejection?”The constitutional convention question on the November ballot
The Citizens for Research Council (CRC), a nonpartisan research organization, recently hosted a webinar to explain what a con-con would mean for Michigan residents. The CRC has not taken a position on the ballot question.
"Michigan voters... have to decide the importance of the state constitution and some of its provisions as it relates to how well our state is doing," said CRC's president, Eric Lupher.
The question of whether to hold a con-con appears on the ballot every 16 years—which is required by the current Michigan constitution.
If voters choose to hold a con-con, there would be a special primary election in February and a special election in May to determine the delegates. There will be one delegate for every Michigan Senate and House district.
The con-con would take place on Oct. 6, 2027. Delegates could potentially change very little in the constitution or make an entirely new document.
Then, the new constitution would need to be approved by voters in the Nov. 2027 election.
According to the Citizens Research Council, when adjusted for inflation, the 1961 con-con cost between $50-$60 million. If the ballot measure passes, the legislature will need to appropriate funds towards the special elections and the convention.
Do voters like the idea?
Since the 1963 constitution, all previous votes to hold a con-con have failed. However, in 1978, 76.7% of voters said no. In 2010, 66.6% of voters said no.
Recent polling from WDIV and the Detroit News found that nearly half of likely voters this year support a con-con. Roughly 47% said they’d vote yes, 31.1% said they would vote no, and 21.8% said they did not know.
“We see a much bigger willingness right now, at this stage… for voters to go along with a constitutional convention,” pollster Richard Czuba, founder of the Glengariff Group, told Michigan Public.
During the CRC webinar, Lupher pointed out that the current constitution's "biggest fault" is how much detail is in it.
"Having that level of detail makes it hard to change as the economy, the people, the culture around us change," Lupher said.
Lupher argued that constitutions should not be "elaborate" documents, meaning that the level of detail should not step into the duties of the legislative and executive branches.
“If you will, we look for the constitution to be the foundation of the house, but we look for the legislature in cooperation with the executive branch to decide what that house should look like," Lupher said.
A few high-profile Republican state lawmakers have come out in support of the con-con. State House Speaker Matt Hall said at the Mackinaw Policy Center's 2025 conference that "they stuff so many things into this constitution," referring to ballot proposals to amend the constitution, such as legalizing marijuana.
On the other hand, there is a coalition of unions, voter rights groups and business groups from across the political aisle that have come together to form Protect MI Constitution from Special Interests.
The over 60 listed members include the League of Women Voters, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, the Michigan Education Association, United Auto Workers, Michigan AFL-CIO, and Business Leaders for Michigan.
According to reporting from Michigan Public, those against the proposal argue that a con-con would be chaotic.
“This would be a circus,” said former Republican State Attorney General Bill Schuette, “And would be just a podium for wannabe influencers.”
The coalition is also worried that special interest groups with unpopular policies would take advantage of a con-con.
“(Even) if there are a handful of reforms that many of us could agree on,” said former Michigan Democratic Congressman Dan Kildee. “Buried in them would be a number of reforms or changes that would be a reflection of very narrow special interests.”
There are many contentious issues in the Michigan constitution that may cause heavy partisan debate, according to the CRC.
Article I contains many debated social issues, including reproductive freedom, affirmative action, the death penalty, the right to bear arms, and equal protection.
The Detroit News reported earlier this month that Republican John James' gubernatorial running mate, Jay Deboyer, made comments suggesting the con-con could be used to limit abortion access. Deboyer later walked back on those comments.
Article II could also be highly contentious in a con-con as it pertains to elections. Unfounded claims of mass voter fraud by President Donald Trump have sparked debate over voting by mail, and whether voters should be required to have their state ID when they vote. A con-con may offer conservative delegates a chance to reimagine voting rules.
