Michigan Proposal 2, Population-Based State Legislative Redistricting Initiative (1952)
| Michigan Proposal 2 | |
|---|---|
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| Election date |
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| Topic Redistricting policy |
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| Status |
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| Type Initiated constitutional amendment |
Origin |
Michigan Proposal 2 was on the ballot as an initiated constitutional amendment in Michigan on November 4, 1952. It was defeated.
A "yes" vote supported amending the Michigan Constitution to:
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A "no" vote opposed amending the Michigan Constitution to require the secretary of state to redraw legislative districts every 10 years based on the federal census, providing for a 33-member Senate and 99-member House with districts apportioned using population-based formulas. |
Election results
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Michigan Proposal 2 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 924,242 | 39.50% | ||
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1,415,355 | 60.50% | ||
Overview
In 1952, voters considered two ballot initiatives related to redistricting. Proposal 2 was defeated, while Proposal 3 was approved. According to The Saginaw News, Proposal 2 "is a plan to reapportion the entire Legislature (both Senate and House) according to population," and Proposal 3 "would reapportion the Senate according to geographical area and only the House according to population." The Saginaw News also reported that the Michigan CIO Council sponsored Proposal 2, and the Michigan Farm Bureau sponsored Proposal 3.[1]
The following table compares Proposal 2 and Proposal 3 in terms of who would be responsible for redistricting, whether districts would be based on population or fixed, and the size of each legislative chamber.
| Feature | Proposal 2 | Proposal 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Redistricting authority | Secretary of state | Legislature for House districts; state board of canvassers if legislature fails |
| Reapportionment frequency | Every 10 years based on federal census | Every 10 years based on federal census |
| Senate size | 33 members | 34 members |
| Senate districts | Redrawn every 10 years using population formulas | Fixed in the amendment |
| House size | 99 members | Up to 110 members |
| House districts | 3 per Senate district; drawn by secretary of state using population formulas | Drawn by legislature using population formulas |
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Proposal 2 was as follows:
| “ | (Proposal No. 2) PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO SECTIONS 2, 3 AND 4 OF ARTICLE V OF THE MICHIGAN CONSTITUTION TO PROVIDE FOR DECENNIAL REAPPORTIONMENT OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE. No. 2 Initiatory petition proposed to amend Sections 2, 3 and 4 of Article V of State Constitution to provide apportionment of the state legislature, according to latest federal census, by secretary of state, enforceable through mandamus proceedings in supreme court of Michigan. Senate shall consist of thirty-three members elected from single member districts created according to population formulas in amendment, and house of representative shall consist of ninety-nine members elected from districts created according to population formulas in amendment, with three representative districts allocated to each senatorial districts, senate and house members to be elected for two year terms. Shall Sections 2, 3 and 4 of Article V of the State Constitution be amended to provide for decennial reapportionment of the senate and house of representatives by the secretary of state? Yes No | ” |
Path to the ballot
An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.
In Michigan, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 10% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
See also
External links
- The State of Michigan, "Official Directory and Legislative Manual"
- The Times Herald, "State Constitutional Amendments Include Reapportionment Proposals," November 2, 1952
Footnotes
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