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A Time to Change
On April 3, 1961, Michigan voters called for a
Constitutional Convention.
We're all responsible for the society in which we live. The law is not
self-executing. (Harold Norris, Michigan Constitutional Convention
Delegate)
Originally adopted in 1908, Michigan's third Constitution needed revision by 1959. The
state was $95.4 million in debt and had failed to pay its employees on payday, May 5,
1959. Legislators could not agree about taxes. They also could not agree on how to divide
Michigan into voting districts--on the basis of population or geography.
Citizen groups, including the League of Women Voters, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce
and Citizens for Michigan, led the drive for a new constitution. Michigan citizens
believed that Michigan's constitution needed to be reviewed, improved and updated. This
photograph from the 1960s gallery shows children campaigning for the ballot proposal to
have a constitutional convention.
In April 1961 Michiganians voted for a Constitutional Convention (Con Con). From
October 1961 to May 11, 1962, delegates met. On August 1, 1962, the delegates approved the
new constitution. Michigan voters approved the new constitution
on April 1, 1963.
The new constitution:
- Gave the governor a 4-year term instead of a 2-year term.
- Limited the number of departments that could be set up in state government to 20.
- Decided that the State Highway Commission and the State Board of Education would retain
their autonomy.
- Laid the foundation for a state income tax.
- Determined that judges were to be elected on a nonpartisan ballot.
- Created a Civil Rights Commission.
- Determined that representation would be based on population, not geography.
The new constitution had provisions for Michigan citizens to consider creating another
constitution every 16 years, but they have kept the 1963 constitution.
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