Understanding Michigan’s Constitution: Potential Changes from a Constitutional Convention

About this episode

The episode discusses potential changes to Michigan's Constitution and the implications of a constitutional convention.

Guy sits down with Eric Lupher, Citizens Research Council president, in the first episode of a series of podcasts exploring the Council’s series of papers on Michigan’s upcoming ballot question asking voters whether to hold a constitutional convention. The Research Council takes no position on whether to call a constitutional convention. They start by digging into the first released paper, General Revision of the Michigan Constitution, which describes the process for convening a convention, examines the history of past votes on the question, discusses the possibility of a wholesale revision of the constitution, describes the nature and purpose of a constitution, and outlines the elements of the current 1963 Michigan Constitution. They touch on the heavy use of the amendment process, which has nibbled at the edges of constitutional change, and what could happen if voters approve Proposal 2026-01, convening a constitutional convention, which has not happened since 1961. Guy asks Eric for the most compelling reasons for voters to vote “yes” or vote “no.” Listen in for the answers here.

People in this episode

Host: Guy

Guest: Eric Lupher

Topics covered

• Michigan Constitution
• constitutional convention
• voter decision
• amendment process
• historical context

Keywords

• Michigan Constitution
• constitutional convention
• Proposal 2026-01
• voter decision
• amendment process
• Eric Lupher
• Citizens Research Council

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Citizens Research Council

Places: Michigan

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• Understanding Detroit's Homicide Rate: Context and Implications · April 24, 2026 · 29 min
• Article III – General Government: the “catch-all” section of the Michigan Constitution · April 20, 2026 · 14 min