In less than two months, Michigan voters will elect our next governor and weigh in on several key issues.

There are several proposals slated to be on the ballot, you can view them all here.

Some of the key ballot proposals include redistricting, voter engagement, the Great Lakes Pipeline Safety Act, a part-time legislature and the legalization of marijuana.

We’re providing information regarding key ballot proposals related to philanthropy’s work.

Create an Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission

If passed in November, this ballot measure: Create an Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, would transfer the authority of drawing our political maps from elected officials (the Michigan Legislature) to an independent, nonpartisan committee of registered voters.

Last week CMF’s Board of Trustees voted to support this ballot proposal, at the recommendation of CMF’s Public Policy Committee as it supports fair, accessible and equitable civic engagement for all.

The Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission would be comprised of 13 commissioners who are randomly selected from a pool of registered voters, consisting of four members who self-identify as Republican, four members who self-identify as Democrat as well as five non-affiliated members.

Current and former partisan elected officials, lobbyists, party officers and their employees aren’t eligible to serve on the committee.

The Secretary of State would oversee the selection process of the committee members.

Advocates for this ballot measure say that creation of an independent committee would prevent gerrymandering - when government officials draw political maps to ensure their party voters remain the majority.

A recent report from the Citizens Research Council (CRC) of Michigan found that Michigan has a history of gerrymandering, the results of which are experienced for the 10 years following the redistricting that occurs after release of the census data, which will be collected next in 2020. 

Eric Lupher, president of CRC, wrote an article about their research for the Detroit Free Press, explaining how gerrymandering can affect civic engagement.

“Gerrymandering also erodes public trust in the political process,” Lupher wrote. “When groups feel the system is designed to limit their voice, or prevent them from electing candidates, it can lead to citizen disengagement and weaken the representational aspect of our governmental system.”

Michigan Radio reports that if the measure passes in November, there will be at least 15 public hearings to guide the planning process of the independent commission.

Promote the Vote

Another key ballot proposal is Promote the Vote. If passed, this proposal would provide qualified Michigan voters with the following rights:

• To vote on a secret ballot.

• For military and overseas voters to be sent a ballot 45 days before an election.

• To vote straight party on all partisan general election ballots.

• To be automatically registered to vote when obtaining a driver’s license or a personal ID card (unless the person declines).

• To register to vote by mail on or before the 15^th day before an election.

• To register to vote in person at any time with proof of residency.

• To vote an absentee ballot, by mail or in person, without giving a reason.

• To have election results audited to ensure the accuracy of elections.

The Promote the Vote website states in part, “Every eligible person can vote, and every vote will count. By making voting more accessible, secure and fair, our democracy will better serve all Americans and our laws will better reflect the will of the people. Everyone – Republicans, Democrats and Independents – deserves to have their vote secure and counted.”

As Bridge Magazine reports, “Opposition to the initiative has been quiet to date. No one spoke Thursday against certifying the proposal, though a ballot committee called Protect My Vote challenged a number of Promote the Vote’s signatures.”

The CMF Public Policy Committee will be studying this ballot proposal to provide a recommendation to the CMF Board of Trustees at its October board meeting. The results of this study will be shared with members.

Great Lakes Pipeline Safety Act

This proposal focuses on initiating the Great Lakes Pipeline Safety Regulation Act, prohibiting the state from granting easements over or through the Great Lakes for pipelines to transport crude oil. Coming up next month, the CMF Green and Blue Network will host a breakout session at CMF’s 46^th Annual Conference about how funders can play a role in solving complex environmental problems, using Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac as an example. Attend this session to learn more regarding this proposal and issue.

To get further connected with what’s ahead in November, CMF is hosting a special webinar this Friday, Do’s and Don’ts: Supporting and Advocating for Ballot Issues. The Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) will join us to take a deeper dive into the ballot issues and we will discuss how you can legally advocate.

Want more?

Register for the September 14 webinar: Do’s and Don’ts: Supporting and Advocating for Ballot Issues.

Learn more about Promote the Vote.

Check out the ballot for the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission.