Michigan voters could decide on up to four citizen-initiated ballot measures in 2026. None has been certified yet, but proponents filed to collect signatures for each measure to qualify for the ballot.

There are three citizen-initiated constitutional amendments and one initiated state statute that have been filed with the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. Three initiatives relate to elections or voting, while one relates to tax policy. 

One amendment, submitted by the Committee to Protect Voters' Rights, would require photo identification in order to vote, and require voters to submit proof of citizenship during voter registration. It would also eliminate the option for voters without a photo ID to sign an affidavit in order to receive a ballot. In Michigan, only U.S. citizens are eligible to register to vote or cast a ballot in state or federal elections. Michigan law requires voters to either possess a photo ID, or sign an affidavit in order to cast a ballot. In total, 36 states require voters to present some form of identification, while 24 of these states require identification with a photograph. The remaining 14 states do not require identification.

Two other potential initiatives relate to ranked-choice voting (RCV) and campaign finance regulations. The petition by Rank MI Vote would amend the constitution to provide for RCV in most federal, state, and local elections. In the U.S., three states use RCV statewide—Alaska and Maine use RCV in some federal and statewide elections, while Hawaii uses it for certain statewide elections. Seventeen states, meanwhile, prohibit RCV. The third election-related measure, an initiated statute, submitted by Michiganders for Money Out of Politics, would prohibit certain organizations and individuals—such as regulated electric and gas utilities, contractors with over $250,000 annually in government contracts, and people and organizations with substantial connections to those utilities or contractors—from making direct or indirect contributions to those who run for office. It would also provide additional regulations on campaign finance and spending on political communications.

One initiated amendment is related to taxes. The amendment, submitted by Invest in MI Kids, would require a 5% tax on annual taxable income of more than $1 million for joint returns (and $500,000 for single returns), with the proceeds allocated to public school districts.

The deadlines to submit signatures for the initiatives are next year. For the three initiated constitutional amendments, petitioners must submit 446,198 valid signatures by July 6, 2026. For the initiated state statute, 356,958 signatures need to be submitted by May 27, 2026. If enough valid signatures are submitted for the constitutional amendments, they will qualify for the ballot. For the statute, it would go to the legislature first—if the legislature does not approve it, it will go to the ballot.

In Michigan, a total of 102 citizen initiatives have appeared on the statewide ballot in the state's history. Out of these initiatives, 36 (35%) were approved and 66 (65%) were defeated. Since 1995, a total of two initiatives have appeared on each even-year ballot. The last two initiatives to appear on Michigan's statewide ballot were Proposal 2, which changed voting policies in Michigan, including requiring voters to present photo ID or sign an affidavit, and Proposal 3, which provided the state right to reproductive freedom. Both of these initiatives were approved.