Michigan Compulsory Public School Attendance Initiative (1920)

Michigan Compulsory Public School Attendance Initiative
Election date November 2, 1920
Topic Public education governance
Status Defeated
Type Initiated constitutional amendment	Origin Citizens

Michigan Compulsory Public School Attendance Initiative was on the ballot as an initiated constitutional amendment in Michigan on November 2, 1920. It was defeated.

A “yes” vote supported requiring children between ages five and sixteen to attend public school until they have graduated from eighth grade.

A “no” vote opposed requiring children between ages five and sixteen to attend public school until they have graduated from eighth grade.

Election results

Michigan Compulsory Public School Attendance Initiative
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		353,817	36.68%
No		610,699	63.32%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Compulsory Public School Attendance Initiative was as follows:

“

VOTE ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION Relative to compulsory attendance at the public school of all residents of the State of Michigan between the ages of five years and sixteen years, and authorizing the Legislature to enact necessary legislation relative thereto. Amendment to Article XI of the Constitution relative to compulsory attendance at public school of all residents of the State of Michigan between the ages of five years and sixteen years, and directing the Legislature to enact necessary legislation relative thereto. SECTION 16. All residents of the State of Michigan, between the ages of five years and sixteen years, shall attend the public school in their respective districts until they have graduated from the eighth grade; Provided, That in districts where the grades do not reach the eighth, then all persons herein described in such district shall complete the course taught therein. SECTION 17. The Legislature shall enact all necessary legislation to render section 16 effective.

”

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 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

1920 Measures

• 1920 Measures
• Public education governance on the ballot
• 1920 legislative sessions

Michigan

• Michigan ballot measures
• Michigan ballot measure laws

News and analysis

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

External links

• University of Michigan Press, "The Initiative and Referendum in Michigan," 1940