LANSING (WWJ) — Michiganders spoke up in force on Tuesday as ballot measures to change the state's term-limits law, the financial disclosure of public officials and allow early in-person voting all passed big by voters.
The passage of Proposal 1 — which will affect Michigan term-limit laws as well as flesh out the financial disclosure requirements on public officials — had more than three-quarters of the vote across the state with 65.5% of the votes in favor.
Amends the Michigan Constitution to require lawmakers and top state executive officials to file personal financial disclosure reports. As outlined in the ballot, members of legislature, governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and attorney general will have to file annual public financial disclosure reports after 2023, including assets, liabilities, income sources, future employment agreements, gifts, travel reimbursements, and positions held in organizations except religious, social, and political organizations.
Additionally, Proposal 1 now changes the legislative term limits to an overall total of 12 years, instead of two four-year terms in the Senate and three two-year terms in the House.
Voters also approved of Proposal 2 — a measure that will allow early in-person voting along with other changes — with 58.6% of the vote whereas 41.4% opposed.
The coalition behind Proposal 2, Promote the Vote, called the victory shortly after 1 a.m. on Wednesday.
"Michigan voters clearly support ensuring every voice is heard and every vote is counted in every election no matter what political party or candidate we support, where we live or what we look like," said Micheal Davis, executive director of the group.
Proposal 2 now amends the state constitution to allow nine days of early voting, permit private funds for election administration and require state-funded absentee ballot boxes, and more.
It will also continue to allow registered voters to vote without an ID as long as they sign an affidavit.
This proposed constitutional amendment would also:
• Recognize fundamental right to vote without harassing conduct
• Require military or overseas ballots be counted if postmarked by election day
• Provide voter right to verify identity with photo ID or signed statement
• Provide voter right to single application to vote absentee in all elections
• Require state-funded absentee-ballot drop boxes, and postage for absentee applications and ballots
• Provide that only election officials may conduct post-election audits
• Require nine days of early in-person voting
• Allow donations to fund elections, which must be disclosed
• Require canvass boards certify election results based only on the official records of votes cast
Proposal 3 also passed by a wide margin, enshrining reproductive rights in Michigan's constitution and effectively blocking a nearly century-old ban on abortions.
For more information about the proposals, visit Michigan.gov.
