Great Lakes Wire

SBAM's Vice President of Policy & Engagement, Kelli Saunders, provided an update on the current ballot proposals during this week's Small Business Briefing. The proposals cover a range of issues including voter identification, ranked-choice voting, taxation for education funding, property tax reduction, tipped wages referendum, and renewable energy project siting.

The Bureau of Elections is considering 11 potential drives that could appear on the 2026 gubernatorial election ballot. Among these are three petitions advocating for a constitutional amendment requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration and identification before voting. Two petitions originate from the same group while another is backed by Rep. Bryan Posthumus (R-Rockford).

Ranked-choice voting has begun its petition circulation with volunteers from Rank MI Vote participating in events like the Ann Arbor Art Fair. This initiative was recently approved by the Board of State Canvassers to establish a ranked voting system in Michigan.

The Invest In MI Kids ballot question faced a setback when its petition was rescinded due to a technical error regarding public comment time on the Bureau of Election’s website. The Board of State Canvassers will revisit this issue on July 31.

Attorney Steve Liedel addressed the Board of State Canvassers about rescinding the petition but agreed to proceed with their agenda after discussion with Board Chair Richard Houskamp.

Ax MI Tax has two petitions aimed at eliminating property taxes in Michigan. Karla Wagner leads the petition circulation efforts with signature collection planned throughout spring and summer at various events such as the Barry County Fair in Hastings.

Voters to Stop Pay Cuts seeks to repeal SB 8, which affected minimum wage laws. Backed by One Fair Wage, they need signatures amounting to 5 percent of votes cast in the last gubernatorial election to place it on the ballot.

Citizens for Local Choice aims to return control over solar, wind, and energy storage facility siting to local governments but failed to make it onto the 2024 ballot. Their website and social media have been inactive since late 2024.

Two older petitions also face expiration without significant activity: one by Michigan Initiatives For Action concerning Freedom of Information Act requests for government offices and another citizen-backed law regarding good-time credits for prisoners.