FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) – Michigan voters will decide this November whether to open the state constitution to a rewrite, a decision required every 16 years and one that last failed by a wide margin in 2010.
A bipartisan group, including former Democratic Congressman Dan Kildee and former Republican Attorney General Bill Schuette, joined labor and community leaders in Flint on Monday to warn against a constitutional convention. If approved, 148 elected delegates could propose changes or even draft a new constitution, with all proposals going back to voters.
The group says the process could force voters into an all-or-nothing decision on important issues.
“What I think we all agree on, where we might not agree on specific elements, is that each of those questions is to stand in front of the voters on their own and let people make an informed choice and not force this all-or-nothing approach,” Kildee said.
Michigan is the only state that puts this question to voters every 16 years. The coalition is urging a no vote on Proposal 1, saying a convention could risk important protections in the state’s constitution.
