Michigan Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers Referendum (2026)

Michigan Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers Referendum
Election date November 3, 2026
Topic Minimum wage laws
Status Cleared for signature gathering
Type Veto referendum	Origin Citizens

The Michigan Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers Referendum may appear on the ballot in Michigan as a veto referendum on November 3, 2026.

This measure would repeal Public Act 1 of 2025, which reduced the minimum wage for Michigan tipped workers, established a new schedule for increasing the stale minimum wage, and changed the way future inflation adjustments for minimum wage increases will occur.

Text of measure

Full text

The full text of the ballot measure is available here.

Path to the ballot

Process in Michigan

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Michigan

In Michigan, the number of signatures required to qualify a veto referendum for the ballot is equal to 5 percent of votes cast for governor in the last gubernatorial election. Signatures older than 180 days are invalid, which means all signatures must be collected within a 180-day window. Signatures for veto referendums must be submitted 90 days after the adjournment of the legislative session in which the targeted bill was passed.

The requirements to get a veto referendum certified for the 2026 ballot:

• Signatures required: 223,099 valid signatures
• Signatures submission deadline (2025 bills): 90 days following the final adjournment of the legislative session at which the targeted bill was passed
• Signatures submission deadline (2026 bills): 90 days following the final adjournment of the legislative session at which the targeted bill was passed

Signature petitions are filed with the secretary of state and verified by the board of state canvassers using a random sample method of verification.

Stages of this ballot initiative

The following is the timeline of the initiative:

• June 11, 2025: The initiative was submitted to the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. Proponents need to submit signatures by March 24, 2026.

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 observes Eastern Time, while several counties observe Central Time. Anyone in line when the polls close must be allowed to vote.

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.

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.

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. According to the Michigan Secretary of State's website:

“

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

”

Automatic registration

See also: Automatic voter registration

Michigan automatically registers eligible individuals to vote when they apply for or update a driver’s license or personal identification card. The state sends a notice to the person afterward allowing them to decline the voter registration.

The Michigan Department of Corrections must also work with the secretary of state to automatically register individuals who are released from incarceration. The state also automatically registers individuals who apply for Medicaid coverage with the Department of Health and Human Services.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

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

Same-day registration

See also: Same-day voter registration

Michigan allows same-day voter registration.

Residency requirements

Michigan law requires individuals to "be a resident of their city or township for at least 30 days by Election Day to vote in that election," according to the Michigan Secretary of State's office.

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. Six states — Alabama, Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring individuals provide proof of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. Two states, Georgia and Mississippi, require a person provide proof of citizenship if their citizenship status cannot be verified by other means. One state, Ohio, requires proof of citizenship only when registering to vote at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles facility. 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

The Michigan Voter Information Center, 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.

The following list of accepted ID was current as of December 2025. Click here for the Michigan Secretary of State page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.

“

You will be asked to show ID when you check in to vote. If you don’t have one, you can still vote. If this happens, expect a poll worker to ask you to sign a form before you vote that explains you didn’t have an ID. Your ballot will be included with all others and counted. ID types you can use to check in are: Michigan driver's license or state ID (may be expired) Driver's license or state ID issued by another state Federal, state or local government-issued photo ID U.S. passport Military photo ID Photo ID from an educational institution Tribal photo ID

”

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.

See also

2026 measures

• 2026 ballot measures
• Minimum wage laws on the ballot

Michigan

• Michigan ballot measures
• Michigan ballot measure laws

News and analysis

• Ballot measure lawsuits
• Ballot measure readability
• Ballot measure polls

External links

• Michigan Board of State Canvassers

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