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Michigan Proposal 3, Population-Based State House Redistricting and Fixed Senate Districts Initiative (1952)
| Michigan Proposal 3 | |
|---|---|
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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 3 was on the ballot as an initiated constitutional amendment in Michigan on November 4, 1952. It was approved.
A "yes" vote supported amending the Michigan Constitution to:
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A "no" vote opposed amending the Michigan Constitution to provide for a 34-member Senate with fixed districts established in the amendment; provide for a House of up to 110 members, with districts drawn by the legislature based on population formulas; andrequire the state legislature to redistrict the House after each federal census. |
Election results
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Michigan Proposal 3 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
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1,269,807 | 56.55% | ||
| No | 975,518 | 43.45% | ||
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 3 was as follows:
| “ | (Proposal No. 3) PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO SECTIONS 2, 3 AND 4 OF ARTICLE V OF THE MICHIGAN CONSTITUTION TO ESTABLISH SENATORIAL DISTRICTS AND TO PROVIDE FOR DECENNIAL REAPPORTIONMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES BY LEGISLATURE OR BY STATE BOARD OF CANVASSERS. No. 3 Initiatory petition proposing to amend Sections 2, 3 and 4 of Article V of State Constitution to provide for apportionment of the state legislature. Provides for a senate consisting of thirty-four members elected for two year terms from single member districts established in the amendment. Provides for a house consisting of not to exceed one hundred and ten members elected for two year terms from districts created by the legislature according to population fomulas in amendment. Legislature shall reapportion house according to latest federal census. If legisalture fails to reapportion, state board of canvassers must do so. Shall Sections 2, 3 and 4 of Article V of the State Constitution be amended to establish senatorial districts and to provide for decennial reapportioment of represenatitves by legislature or by state board of canvassers? 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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State of Michigan Lansing (capital) |
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