Michigan 2015 ballot measures

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One ballot measure was certified for the May 5, 2015, ballot in the state of Michigan, where it was defeated. The one measure was a legislatively referred constitutional amendment and addressed taxes and transportation.

The 2015 legislative session began on January 14, 2015, and concluded on December 31, 2015. While Michigan does allow for initiatives and referendums, these can only appear on general election ballots. There was no general election in 2015 in Michigan. Therefore, only legislative referrals could appear on the ballot. A two-thirds majority vote of the legislature is required before a legislatively referred constitutional amendment reaches the ballot. A simple majority vote by the legislature is necessary to put forward a legislatively referred state statute.

On the ballot

See also: 2015 ballot measures

May 5:

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
LRCA	Proposal 1	Taxes	Increase sales tax, establish fuel tax formula	d

Historical facts

• The last time a ballot measure appeared on an odd-year ballot in Michigan was 1993. Thus, April 2015's legislative referral was the first on an odd-year ballot in 22 years.
• Between 1990 and 2014, 22 of 47, or 47 percent, of Michigan ballot measures were approved by voters.
• Conversely, 25 of 47, or 53 percent, of measures were defeated.
• Six measures related to taxes have been on the ballot in Michigan since 1992. Two were approved and four were defeated.

State profile

Demographic data for Michigan
	Michigan	U.S.
Total population:	9,917,715	316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):	56,539	3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:	79%	73.6%
Black/African American:	14%	12.6%
Asian:	2.7%	5.1%
Native American:	0.5%	0.8%
Pacific Islander:	0%	0.2%
Two or more:	2.6%	3%
Hispanic/Latino:	4.7%	17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:	89.6%	86.7%
College graduation rate:	26.9%	29.8%
Income
Median household income:	$49,576	$53,889
Persons below poverty level:	20%	11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Michigan. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

Presidential voting pattern

See also: Presidential voting trends in Michigan

Michigan voted for the Democratic candidate in four out of the seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.

Pivot Counties (2016)

Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, 12 are located in Michigan, accounting for 5.83 percent of the total pivot counties.

Pivot Counties (2020)

In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Michigan had 11 Retained Pivot Counties and one Boomerang Pivot County, accounting for 6.08 and 4.00 of all Retained and Boomerang Pivot Counties, respectively.

More Michigan coverage on Ballotpedia

• Elections in Michigan
• United States congressional delegations from Michigan
• Public policy in Michigan
• Endorsers in Michigan
• Michigan fact checks
• More...

See also

• 2015 ballot measures
• List of Michigan ballot measures
• History of Initiative & Referendum in Michigan
• Michigan signature requirements

External links

• Michigan Board of State Canvassers