Electoral reform in Michigan refers to efforts, proposals and plans to change the election and voting laws of Michigan. [1] In 2021, a Sixth Court panel held that Ballot access laws in Michigan curtail independents,[2] as they currently require a political party to submit 38,024 signatures, including 100 signatures from half of all Michigan Congressional districts. The Michigan Third Parties Coalition is seeking to relax those requirements.[3] So far, no bills have been introduced in the Michigan Legislature to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. However in 2023, such legislation was initiated.[4] [5]
Michigan currently uses First-past-the-post voting to elect the governor, state legislatures, and members of congress. However attempts have been made to introduce Preferential voting systems. In 2004, Ferndale residents overwhelmingly passed Proposal B, implementing instant-runoff voting for the city major and council members.[6]
Ballot initiatives in 2023, supported wider use of the voting system.[7]
In 2023, Gretchen Whitmer signed into law 2022 Michigan Proposal 2, commonly referred to as 'Prop 2', which aimed to expand voting rights in Michigan. The new laws include nine days of early voting, prepaid postage for absentee ballots, an updated ballot tracking system, and acceptance of more ID types for voting.[8]