Michigan Proposal B, Time Required for Parole Initiative (1978)

Michigan Proposal B
Election date November 7, 1978
Topic Parole policy
Status Approved
Type Indirect initiated state statute	Origin Citizens

Michigan Proposal B was on the ballot as an indirect initiated state statute in Michigan on November 7, 1978. It was approved.

A “yes” vote supported prohibiting prisoners convicted of certain crimes from being granted parole prior to serving the minimum sentence imposed for the crime.

A “no” vote opposed prohibiting prisoners convicted of certain crimes from being granted parole prior to serving the minimum sentence imposed for the crime.

Election results

Michigan Proposal B
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		2,075,599	74.48%
No		711,262	25.52%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Proposal B was as follows:

“

PROPOSAL B PROPOSAL TO PROHIBIT THE GRANTING OF A PAROLE TO A PRISONER CONVICTED OF CERTAIN CRIMES INVOLVING VIOLENCE OR INJURY TO PERSON OR PROPERTY UNTIL AT LEAST AFTER THE MINIMUM SENTENCE HAS BEEN SERVED. THE PROPOSED LAW WOULD: List the crimes to which this low applies, which are crimes of violence or crimes resulting in injury to persons or damage to property. Prohibit the Parole Board from granting a parole to a prisoner serving a sentence for conviction of one of these crimes until after the completion of the minimum sentence imposed on the prisoner. Provide that in cases involving conviction for one of these crimes that the minimum sentence cannot be diminished by granting of good time, special good time or special parole. Should this proposed law be adopted? YES NO

”

Full Text

The full text of this measure is available here.

Path to the ballot

See also: Signature requirements for ballot measures in Michigan

An indirect initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are nine (9) states that allow citizens to initiate indirect state statutes.

While a direct initiative is placed on the ballot once supporters file the required number of valid signatures, an indirect initiative is first presented to the state legislature. Legislators have a certain number of days, depending on the state, to adopt the initiative into law. Should legislators take no action or reject the initiative, the initiative is put on the ballot for voters to decide.

In Michigan, the number of signatures required for an indirect initiated state statute is equal to 8% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. As an indirect process, the Legislature has 40 days to adopt the initiative after signatures are certified. Otherwise, a simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

See also

1978 Measures

• 1978 Measures
• Parole policy on the ballot
• 1978 legislative sessions

Michigan

• Michigan ballot measures
• Michigan ballot measure laws

News and analysis

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

External links

• Michigan Department of State, "Initiatives and Referendums Under the Constitution of the State of Michigan of 1963," December 5, 2008