News Story

Deadlines Loom for Ballot Drives

By Bailey Ludlam at Ballotpedia

Today marks the end of the first statewide petition drive for proposed initiatives. Unlike most states, Michigan has two petition drive deadlines: one for initiatives that amend the state constitution and another for proposed state statutes. 

This year, a total of six initiatives were filed with Secretary of State for the 2010 ballot. However, only two initiatives face today's deadline: a measure to reduce insurance premiums for good drivers by 20 percent and a proposal to require circuit courts to award joint custody in a child custody dispute unless there is evidence of a parent's inability to parent. Both are initiated state statutes.

A third initiative would also be facing today's deadline, but in February 2010, proponents announced they intended to instead propose the measure for the 2012 ballot. The measure calls for implementing tougher laws on mining in order to protect the Great Lakes as well as local inland lakes, rivers and the overall environment from contamination.

In order to qualify for the Nov. 2, 2010, ballot, supporters must submit a minimum of 304,000 valid signatures.

Proposed constitutional amendments must file a minimum of 382,129 signatures by July 5, 2010.

Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.