Michiganders have rejected Proposal 1 on the Nov. 3 ballot, keeping voters in charge of updates to the state constitution and avoiding a costly, drawn-out Constitutional Convention (Con-Con).
The Protect MI Constitution from Special Interests ballot question committee built a robust coalition of more than 30 prominent policy and advocacy organizations representing a broad range of interests and priorities that worked together to raise awareness about the dangers of a Con-Con. This coalition included groups that often disagree on policy, including the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, the Michigan Education Association (MEA), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan and Citizens for Traditional Values-Michigan.
The Protect MI Constitution from Special Interests ballot question committee had an incredible lineup of 36 coalition partners engaging and mobilizing voters across 39 counties and both peninsulas. This outreach effort included nearly 400,000 phone calls, nearly 43,000 texts, more than 153,000 doors knocked by volunteers and 1.23 million pieces of mail. And for the fourth time in a row, Michigan voters made clear their broad opposition to a Constitutional Convention, rejecting a complete rewrite of the state's governing document.
“For more than a year, opponents of Proposal 1 built a coalition that is unheard of today. The coalition is made up of groups that disagree on almost everything and includes progressives, conservatives, business, labor and many others. Together, we laid out clear, compelling risks that come with calling a Constitutional Convention. The vote on Proposal 1 shows that Michiganders believe voters should stay in charge of our constitution," said Mark Fisk, partner and CEO of Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications.
“We've never seen this many business groups, labor unions, educators and advocates, who disagree on plenty of issues working, side by side on the same campaign. These organizations recognized a common cause, brought their own networks and perspectives to the table, and worked together toward this important goal. That kind of partnership doesn’t happen every day, and these results show what it can accomplish,” said John Sellek, CEO and chief strategist of Harbor Strategic.
“Today’s vote reflects a shared belief that Michigan’s energy is best spent solving problems, not creating new uncertainty. We were proud to stand alongside business, labor, education, and community partners in support of that vision. With this question behind us, Michigan can remain focused on strengthening its competitiveness, developing talent, improving education and expanding opportunity for residents across the state,” said Wendy Block, executive vice president of business advocacy for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.
“With a NO vote on Proposal 1, Michiganders are providing our students, educators and schools the stability they need to succeed. This campaign coalition showed that even organizations with different priorities can find common ground on important issues for our state. We are proud to have been part of this effort,” said Doug Pratt, director of public affairs for the Michigan Education Association.
“Michigan homeowners and prospective buyers benefit when they have the stability and predictability needed to make important financial decisions. We are thrilled that Michiganders voted to preserve that foundation by voting NO on Proposal 1. Our coalition working with this ballot question committee showed that protecting our state’s future is a shared interest that reaches across industries and constituencies,” said Brad Ward, vice president of public policy and legal affairs for Michigan Realtors®.
“Michiganders worked hard to write reproductive freedom into our state constitution, and today we voted NO on Proposal 1 to protect it. Michigan voters will keep the final say over our constitution, and we will continue organizing to defend the rights we won in 2022," said Shanay Watson-Whittaker, director of Michigan campaigns for Reproductive Freedom for All.
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Paid for with regulated funds by Protect MI Constitution from Special Interests, www.protectmiconstitution.com