Op-Ed: ‘No’ to a Constitutional Convention keeps special interests from taking our freedoms, rights

When Michigan voters receive their ballots in November, the first question they’ll see is whether Michigan should hold a state Constitution Convention.

It may look like a straightforward chance to make changes to our Constitution, but don’t be fooled. Voters should vote “No” and reject this dangerous Trojan Horse.

A Constitutional Convention, also known as a “Con-Con,” will roll out the welcome mat for wealthy special interests and extremist organizations, who are all too eager to rewrite Michigan’s state Constitution. A Con-Con would open the door for powerful special interests to use their power, influence and deep pockets to pass harmful, costly policies affecting families, small businesses and communities across Michigan.

Extremist groups, wealthy donors and billionaires want to exploit the Con-Con and use it as a back door to rewrite the Michigan Constitution and promote their narrow agenda — not the will of everyday Michiganders. Constitutional protections and freedoms Michiganders currently enjoy under our state constitution would be at risk.

Extreme radical groups could use a Con-Con to take away essential rights, freedoms and protections, and remove important limits on government over-reach, including a woman’s freedom to make her most personal medical decisions, the right to bear arms and protections on our drinking water, rivers and lakes. These are just a few of the vital protections in our state Constitution threatened by a Con-Con.

The Michigan Constitution already provides an effective and successful mechanism allowing voters to take direct action on important issues. Many of the safeguards in our constitution today reflect the wishes of everyday Michiganders, who can vote on and pass them at the ballot box. Over the past 60 years, Michiganders have voted freely, fairly and directly 85 times on what they want in our state constitution. As a result, Michiganders have a high level of confidence in our constitution because this document reflects our values and priorities.

Everyday Michiganders deserve to stay in control of our state constitution. We cannot afford to surrender our rights and protections to unelected political insiders who have their own agendas and motives. They could use a Con-Con to lock out the voices of Michigan voters and rewrite the state constitution behind closed doors, with zero accountability or oversight from voters.

Voters understand the real risks of letting wealthy special interests meddle in our constitution. That’s why Michiganders have rejected a Con-Con by huge margins each time it has come up for a vote in the past six decades.

In November, Michiganders have an opportunity to protect our freedoms and our rights, stand up to wealthy special interests, extremists and billionaires.

Mark Fisk is an award-winning journalist and veteran of numerous communications initiatives and campaigns. Prior to forming Byrum & Fisk in 2007, Mark was the political and communications director for the Michigan House Democratic Caucus.​ This op-ed was published by the Michigan Advance on March 8, 2026.