East Lansing, Michigan, Ballot Question 3, Ranked-Choice Voting Initiative (November 2023)

East Lansing Ballot Question 3
	Election date; November 7, 2023
	Topic; Local charter amendments and Local elections and campaigns
	Status; Approved
	Type; Initiative

East Lansing Ballot Question 3 was on the ballot as an initiative in East Lansing on November 7, 2023. It was approved.

A "yes" vote supported this charter amendment to:

adopt ranked-choice voting (RCV) for city council elections provided that the state certifies a process for allowing RCV and
give the city council the option to call a special election to fill a vacant city council seat, rather than making an appointment.

A "no" vote opposed this charter amendment to adopt ranked-choice voting (RCV) for city council elections and allow a special election to fill a vacant city council.

Election results

East Lansing Ballot Question 3
Result	Votes	Percentage
Yes	2,811	52.48%
No	2,545	47.52%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Ballot Question 3 was as follows:

“

3.1a RANKED CHOICE VOTING: IN THE EVENT THE MICHIGAN BUREAU OF ELECTIONS CERTIFIES THE PROCESS FOR THE USE OF RANKED CHOICE VOTING BEGINNING IN THE ELECTION OF 2023, OR SUCH SUBSEQUENT ODD YEAR ELECTION ONCE THE CONDITIONS OF A CERTIFIED PROCESS ARE SATISFIED, THE CITY COUNCIL SHALL BE ELECTED IN THE MANNER PRESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION.

”

Full Text

The full text of this measure is available here.

Background

Ranked-choice voting (RCV)

Ranked-choice voting (RCV) ballot measures
Pages: • Ranked-choice voting (RCV) • History of RCV ballot measures • Electoral systems on the ballot • Local electoral systems on the ballot • Electoral systems by state

See also: Ranked-choice voting (RCV)

The ballot measure has played a role in shaping electoral systems in the U.S., including ranked-choice voting (RCV) for state and local elections.

Since 1915, there have been more than 150 ballot measures to adopt or repeal ranked-choice voting systems. Ashtabula, Ohio, was the first jurisdiction to approve a ranked-choice voting measure in 1915.

RCV is an electoral system in which voters rank candidates on their ballots. RCV can be used for single-winner elections or multi-winner elections; when used for multi-winner elections, the system has also been called single-transferable vote or proportional representation. These terms were often used to describe multi-winner RCV before the 1970s. You can learn more about ranked-choice voting systems and policies here.

Local RCV ballot measures

See also: History of ranked-choice voting (RCV) ballot measures

Between 1965 and 2024, 79 ranked-choice voting (RCV) local ballot measures were on the ballot in 58 jurisdictions in 19 states.

Ballotpedia has located 71 local ballot measures to adopt RCV. Voters approved 52 (78.9%) and rejected 15 (21.1%).

There were eight local ballot measures to repeal RCV. Voters approved four (50.0%) and rejected four (50.0%).

The year with the most local RCV ballot measures was 2022, when nine were on the ballot in nine jurisdictions. Voters approved seven of them.

The state with the most local ballot measures related to RCV is California, where there have been 13.

The following table shows the number of ranked-choice voting measures by topic.

Topic	Total	Approved	Approved (%)	Defeated	Defeated (%)
Local ranked-choice vote measures by topic and outcome, 1965 - April 2025
Adopt RCV	72	57	79.2%	15	20.08%
Repeal RCV	8	4	50.0%	4	50.0%
Total	80	61	76.3%	19	23.7%

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing local ballot measures in Michigan

This measure was put on the ballot through a successful citizen initiative petition drive.

How to cast a vote

See also: Voting in Michigan

See below to learn more about current voter registration rules, identification requirements, and poll times in Michigan.

How to vote in Michigan

Poll times

In Michigan, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. Most of the state is observes Eastern Time, while several counties observe Central Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.^[1]

Registration

Check your voter registration status here.

To vote in Michigan, a voter must be a United States citizen and a resident of their city or township for at least 30 days. Voters must be at least 18 years old by Election Day, and not be currently serving a sentence in jail or prison.^[2]

Voters may register to vote online, by mail, or in person at clerk's offices in their county, city, or township, or at a state department branch office 15 days or earlier before an election .^[2]

Within 14 days of an election and on Election Day, voters can register in person at their local clerk's office by presenting proof of residency documentation.^[2] According to the Michigan Secretary of State's website:^[2]

“

Proof of residency is official documentation (paper or digital) that lists a voter’s current name and address. When registering to vote within 14 days of an election, voters must present one form of proof of residency in person at a local clerk’s office. Proof of residency examples include:

Michigan driver’s license, state ID, or U.S. Passport
A utility bill
Insurance documents (health, car, home, etc.)
A bank or credit card statement
Financial aid or school enrollment documents
A lease agreement
A paycheck or other government check
Other government document^[3]

”

Automatic registration

Michigan automatically registers eligible individuals to vote when they apply for or update a driver’s license or personal identification card.^[4]

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

Michigan has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.^[4]

Same-day registration

Michigan allows same-day voter registration.^[4]

Residency requirements

Michigan law requires 30 days of residency in the state before a person may vote.^[2]

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Michigan does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury.

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment.^[5] Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

This page, administered by the Michigan Department of State, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

Voter ID requirements

Michigan requires voters to present photo identification while voting.^[6] Voters without identification can cast a regular ballot by signing an affidavit.^[6]

The following list of accepted ID was current as of October 2024. Click here for the Michigan Secretary of State page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.

Michigan driver’s license
Michigan personal identification card
Current driver’s license or personal ID card issued by another state
Current operator's or chauffeur's license
Current federal, state, or local government-issued photo ID
Current U.S. passport
Current military identification card with photo
Current student identification with photo from an educational institution
Current tribal identification card with photo.

Voters can obtain a state identification card at a secretary of state branch office for $10. Voters over the age of 65, voters who are blind, and voters whose driving privileges have been terminated due to a physical or mental disability can obtain an identification card for free. Additionally, voters who can present a reason for having the fee waived may also obtain an ID for free. Visit the Michigan secretary of state’s page or call (888) SOS-MICH (767-6424) for more information.^[6]

External links

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Footnotes

↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "Frequently Asked Questions: Elections and Voting," accessed April 16, 2023
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 ^2.4 Michigan Secretary of State, "Registering to Vote," accessed October 7, 2024
↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
↑ ^4.0 ^4.1 ^4.2 NCSL, "State Profiles: Elections," accessed August 26, 2024
↑ Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
↑ ^6.0 ^6.1 ^6.2 Michigan.gov, "Notice to Voters: Voter Identification Requirement in Effect," accessed October 7, 2024

[1] Michigan Secretary of State, "Frequently Asked Questions: Elections and Voting," accessed April 16, 2023

[mireg-2] 2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 ^2.4 Michigan Secretary of State, "Registering to Vote," accessed October 7, 2024

[quotedisclaimer-3] Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

[ncsl-4] 4.0 ^4.1 ^4.2 NCSL, "State Profiles: Elections," accessed August 26, 2024

[5] Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."

[mvid-6] 6.0 ^6.1 ^6.2 Michigan.gov, "Notice to Voters: Voter Identification Requirement in Effect," accessed October 7, 2024

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[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

East Lansing Ballot Question 3

Election date November 7, 2023
Topic Local charter amendments and Local elections and campaigns
Status Approved
Type Initiative

	v • e State of Michigan Lansing (capital)
Elections	What's on my ballot? \| Elections in 2025 \| How to vote \| How to run for office \| Ballot measures
Government	Who represents me? \| U.S. President \| U.S. Congress \| Federal courts \| State executives \| State legislature \| State and local courts \| Counties \| Cities \| School districts \| Public policy

East Lansing, Michigan, Ballot Question 3, Ranked-Choice Voting Initiative (November 2023)

Contents

Election results

Text of measure

Ballot title

Full Text

Background

Ranked-choice voting (RCV)

Local RCV ballot measures

Path to the ballot

How to cast a vote

Poll times

Registration

Automatic registration

Online registration

Same-day registration

Residency requirements

Verification of citizenship

Verifying your registration

Voter ID requirements

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

2024 Election analysis

Trending

Public Policy

Information for candidates

Get Engaged

Services

Additional analysis

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