2026 Ballot Proposals
There are two statewide ballot proposals and two county-wide ballot proposals on your November 2026 ballot. Voters are encouraged to read the text carefully and research arguments for and against each by using a wide variety of sources. Voters wishing to discuss and debate these proposals further are welcome to attend one of our weekly Kent Christian Voter Network meetings held each Monday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Marge's Donut Den 1751 28th Street SW, Wyoming, MI 49519.
Proposal 2026-1
A proposal to convene a constitutional convention for the purpose of drafting a general revision of the state constitution
Shall a convention of elected delegates be convened in 2027 to draft a general revision of the State Constitution for presentation to the state’s voters for their approval or rejection?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
This question automatically appears on the ballot every 16 years asking whether Michigan should hold a state constitutional convention to revise the state constitution. If approved, voters would choose 148 delegates (one each from the state's 110 representative districts and the state's 38 senate districts) in a partisan election (delegates would appear on the ballot under a party name, which means the delegate general election would be preceded by a partisan primary to determine which delegates each party would nominate).These delegates would meet to propose and discuss any changes or rewrites to the constitution. Their revised state constitution would then be sent back to the voters for approval or rejection before taking effect.
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Proponents say: The current Michigan constitution was written in the 1960's and needs to be updated to remove outdated provisions, conflicting language, and long standing issues concerning the structure and powers of state government such as term limits, emergency powers, and veto parameters. Property tax reform, election integrity measures, and restrictions on abortion are some of the topics that could also be addressed.
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Opponents argue: The costs of holding elections and executing the business of a constitutional convention could be close to $80 million. They also share concerns that special interest groups could influence the process and any alterations to the current constitution could be a Trojan Horse for unwanted policies. Furthermore, it is already possible to amend the state constitution using ballot initiatives (such as Proposal 2 below).
Proposal 2026-2
A proposed initiated law to prohibit campaign contributions from certain regulated utilities and government contractors and apply campaign finance laws and regulations to additional types of political communications
The proposal would:
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Prohibit regulated electric and gas utilities, contractors with over $250,000 annually in government contracts, and people and organizations with substantial connections to these utilities/contractors from making direct or indirect campaign contributions to those who run for or hold offices that impact them.
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Expand laws regulating spending on political communications, including those requiring disclosing donor information, to apply to communications clearly identifying candidates or ballot questions, even if they do not expressly advocate voting for/against them.
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Expressly apply the law requiring disclosure of who paid for political communications to internet political communications.
Should this proposal be adopted?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
This is a citizen-initiated measure to restrict electric and gas utility providers and contractors with over $250,000 annually in government contracts (and some individuals connected with those contractors) from making direct or indirect contributions to political campaigns.
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Proponents say: This proposal would curb corruption by banning big corporations and utilities from directly funding the very politicians who regulate them. The goal is to "Get Money Out of Politics."
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Opponents argue: The proposal does not actually take money out of politics entirely. Instead, it singles out specific entities (regulated gas and electric utilities and state/local government contractors with over $250,000 in contracts) while leaving labor unions, other corporations, and out-of-state "dark money" groups unrestricted. In analyzing the proposal's likely effects, they predict disparate impact. The proposal would selectively target funding sources for one major political party while giving carve outs to the other.
Kent County Millage Renewal and Increase
Corrections and Detention Facilities
Shall Kent County levy 0.98 mill ($0.98 per $1,000 of taxable value) on the taxable value of all real and personal property subject to taxation for the period 2026 through 2045 inclusive to expand, remodel, equip, operate, maintain, and defray debt service for Kent County Correction and Detention Facilities? This millage is a renewal of the previously authorized millage which expires following the 2029 levy as well as an authorization to increase the existing millage by 0.2468 mill ($0.2468 per $1,000 of taxable value). The amount raised by the proposed levy in the first calendar year is estimated at $37,326,699.00.
To the extent permitted by law, a portion of the revenues from this millage will be captured by local authorities for authorized purposes. The total amount of captured tax increment revenues from such millage in the first calendar year of the levy is estimated at $1,497,204.07. The authorities in Kent County capturing a portion of the revenues from this levy include the following: the Downtown Development Authorities for the Cities of Cedar Springs, Grandville, Lowell, Rockford, Walker, the Charter Township of Cascade, and the Townships of Bowne, Sparta, and Tyrone; the Brownfield Redevelopment Authorities of Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kentwood, Rockford, Walker, and Wyoming; and the Monroe North Tax increment Financing Authority of the City of Grand Rapids, Local Development Financing Authority of the City of Grand Rapids, and the Corridor Improvement Authority of the City of Grand Rapids.
Should this proposal be adopted?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
Kent County Zoo and Museum Millage Renewal
For the purpose of renewing dedicated funding for the care of animals and artifacts, repair and improvement of exhibits, and providing enhanced educational programs, shall the total limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all taxable property in Kent County be renewed at 0.4086 mill ($0.4086 on each $1,000 of taxable value) on all Real and Personal Property subject to taxation for the period 2026 through 2035, inclusive, which would be allocated to the John Ball Zoo and the Grand Rapids Public Museum? The amount raised by the levy in the first year is estimated at $15,562,948.00.
To the extent permitted by law, a portion of the revenues from this millage will be captured by local authorities for authorized purposes. The total amount of captured tax increment revenues from such millage in the first calendar year of the levy is estimated at $399,110.86. The tax increment authorities in Kent County, capturing a portion of this tax levy, include the following: the Downtown Development Authorities for the Cities of Cedar Springs, Grandville, Lowell, Rockford, and Walker, the Charter Township of Cascade, the Townships of Bowne, Sparta, and Tyrone; the Brownfield Redevelopment Authorities of Cascade Township, Cedar Springs, Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kent County, Kentwood, Plainfield Charter Township, Rockford, Walker, and Wyoming; the Monroe North Tax increment Financing Authority; and Corridor Improvement Authority of the City of Grand Rapids.
Should this proposal be adopted?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No