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Signature requirements for ballot measures in Michigan
This page provides an overview of signature requirements for statewide citizen-initiated measures in Michigan. In Michigan, citizens can initiate constitutional amendments, state statutes, and veto referendums.
Requirements
In Michigan, the number of signatures needed to place a measure on the ballot is based on the total number of votes cast for the governor in the preceding election.
The following are the requirements for the types of citizen-initiated measures in Michigan:
- initiated constitutional amendment (ICA): 10 percent of the votes cast for governor
- initiated state statute (ISS): 8 percent of the votes cast for governor
- veto referendum (VR): 5 percent of the votes cast for governor
The chart below shows election years and the signature requirement for initiatives designed to appear on the ballot in that year, with gubernatorial years bolded.
| Year | Amendment | Statute | Referendum |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 446,198 | 356,958 | 223,099 |
| 2024 | 446,198 | 356,958 | 223,099 |
| 2022 | 425,059 | 340,047 | 212,529 |
| 2020 | 425,059 | 340,047 | 212,529 |
| 2018 | 315,654 | 252,523 | 157,827 |
| 2016 | 315,654 | 252,523 | 157,827 |
| 2014 | 322,609 | 258,087 | 161,304 |
| 2012 | 322,609 | 258,087 | 161,304 |
| 2010 | 380,126 | 304,101 | 190,063 |
| 2008 | 380,126 | 304,101 | 190,063 |
| 2006 | 317,757 | 254,206 | 158,879 |
| 2004 | 317,757 | 254,206 | 158,879 |
| 2002 | 302,711 | 242,169 | 151,356 |
| 2000 | 302,711 | 242,169 | 151,356 |
| 1998 | 308,908 | 247,127 | 154,454 |
| 1996 | 308,908 | 247,127 | 154,454 |
| 1994 | 256,457 | 205,166 | 128,229 |
| 1992 | 256,457 | 205,166 | 128,229 |
| 1990 | 239,657 | 191,726 | 119,829 |
| 1988 | 239,657 | 191,726 | 119,829 |
| 1986 | 304,001 | 243,201 | 152,001 |
| 1984 | 304,001 | 243,201 | 152,001 |
| 1982 | 286,722 | 229,377 | 143,361 |
| 1980 | 286,722 | 229,377 | 143,361 |
| 1978 | 265,702 | 212,562 | 132,851 |
| 1976 | 265,702 | 212,562 | 132,851 |
See law: Michigan Constitution, Article II, Section 9 & Article XII, Section 2
Changes in number of signatures
The following graph illustrates the number of signatures required for initiated constitutional amendments (10 percent of the gubernatorial vote), initiated state statutes (8 percent of the gubernatorial vote), and veto referendums (5 percent of the gubernatorial vote) from 1976 through 2026.
Basis of calculation
In Michigan, the number of signatures needed to place a measure on the ballot is based on the total number of votes cast for the governor in the preceding election. The following numbers of votes were cast for the office of governor in each year listed:
| Year | Votes cast for governor |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 4,461,972 |
| 2018 | 4,250,585 |
| 2014 | 3,156,531 |
| 2010 | 3,226,088 |
| 2006 | 3,801,256 |
| 2002 | 3,177,565 |
| 1998 | 3,027,104 |
| 1994 | 3,089,077 |
| 1990 | 2,564,563 |
| 1986 | 2,396,564 |
| 1982 | 3,040,008 |
| 1978 | 2,867,212 |
| 1974 | 2,657,017 |
Signature deadlines
In Michigan, citizen-initiated ballot measures can appear on general election (even-numbered years) ballots. Signatures for initiated constitutional amendments are due 120 days prior to the targeted election. Signatures for initiated state statutes, which are indirect in Michigan, are due 160 days prior to the targeted election. Signatures for veto referendums are due 90 days following the final adjournment of the legislative session at which the targeted bill was passed.
| Year | Deadline for amendments | Deadline for statutes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | July 6, 2026[1] | May 27, 2026[1] |
| 2024 | July 8, 2024 | May 29, 2024 |
| 2022 | July 11, 2022 | June 1, 2022 |
| 2020 | July 6, 2020 | May 27, 2020 |
| 2018 | July 9, 2018 | May 30, 2018 |
| 2016 | July 11, 2016 | June 1, 2016 |
| 2014 | July 7, 2014 | May 28, 2014 |
| 2012 | July 9, 2012 | May 30, 2012 |
| 2010 | July 5, 2010 | May 26, 2010 |
See also
- Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Michigan
- Laws governing the initiative process in Michigan
- States where signature requirements are based on votes cast for governor
External links
Footnotes
