Michigan Constitution

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Michigan Constitution
Articles
Preamble • I • II • III • IV • V • VI • VII • VIII • IX • X • XI • XII • Schedule

The Constitution of the State of Michigan is a state constitution and the governing document of the U.S. state of Michigan. It describes the structure and function of the state's government.

History

Four constitutions have been approved by the people of Michigan. The first, in 1835, was written as Michigan prepared to become a state of the Union, which occurred in 1837. The current constitution was approved by voters in 1963.

Summary

The current constitution contains a preamble followed by 12 sections. There is also a schedule at the end, to ease transition from territory to state.

• Article I establishes the rights and liberties of the citizens of Michigan.
• Article II details the election process, as well as recalls and voter qualifications.
• Article III deals with miscellaneous provisions, such as the state seal, seat of government, and separation of powers.
• Article IV establishes the legislative branch of government as the law-making body of the state.
• Article V establishes the executive branch and describes the powers and qualifications of the governor and lieutenant governor.
• Article VI establishes the judicial branch and creates the various court systems.
• Article VII concerns government at a local level.
• Article VIII establishes the public school system and also deals with some institutions of higher education.
• Article IX describes the taxation process.
• Article X is entitled property.
• Article XI concerns public officers and their employment.
• Article XII describes the process for amending the state constitution.
• The Schedule has temporary provisions to ease the transition from territory to state.

Amending the constitution

See also: Article XII, Michigan Constitution, Amending state constitutions

The Michigan Constitution can be amended in these three ways:

• Through an legislatively-referred constitutional amendment as established in Section 2 of Article XII. These can be proposed in either chamber of the Michigan State Legislature. Proposed amendments must be agreed to by 2/3rds of the members elected to and serving in each house.
• Through an initiated constitutional amendment as established in Section 2 of Article XII.
• Through a constitutional convention as established in Section 3 of Article XII. A question about whether to hold a constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the state's ballot every sixteen years.

External links

• Constitution of 1835
• Constitution of 1850
• Constitution of 1908
• Constitution of 1963 (PDF format)

Navigation

v • d • e Michigan Constitution Michigan Constitution • Preamble • Article I • Article II • Article III • Article IV • Article V • Article VI • Article VII • Article VIII • Article IX • Article X • Article XI • Article XII • Schedule

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