Click for working people.
The politically active UAW* is focusing on two proposals with its member-led political program across the state of Michigan. This is on top of a slate of endorsed candidates up and down the ticket. The UAW is encouraging members and union households to vote No on Proposal 1 to protect the state’s constitution from “billionaire and corporate influence that could undermine hard fought victories in recent years like voting rights, fair redistricting, and reproductive freedom.” The UAW is also encouraging union voters to vote Yes on Proposal 2, the initiative that would “ban monopoly utility companies like DTE Energy and other corporations from flooding money into Michigan politics.”
“Nothing has shaped the current corrupt state of our government like the rise of corporate money and influence,” said UAW President Shawn Fain on the Union’s endorsement of Proposal 2. “Billionaires and corporations are pouring billions of dollars into our elections in America this year alone. They do it to rig the system in their favor, and working-class families pay the price.”
“We’re done with a system that allows corporate greed to dictate our politics. That’s why the UAW endorses a Yes vote on Proposal 2, Michigan Money Out of Politics. This initiative would at least stop a monopoly utility company like DTE from owning elected officials in Lansing, so our elected officials are accountable to the people, not a corporate checkbook,” said Fain.
Michigan 2026 Ballot Proposal 1
“Shall a convention of elected delegates be convened in 2027 to draft a general revision of the State Constitution for presentation to the state’s voters for their approval or rejection?
This question is required by Article XII, Section 3 of the Michigan Constitution to exist every 16 years to appear on the statewide ballot asking whether to convene a constitutional convention. A majority ‘yes’ vote would require the Michigan Legislature to convene a constitutional convention, with no separate enabling statute.”
“Even before the calendar turned to 2026, Michiganians were already seeing a steady stream of headlines about the important elections on the November ballot, including open seats for each of our statewide offices as well as one of Michigan’s seats in the U.S. Senate and others. However, an important measure guaranteed to be on the November ballot is generating far fewer headlines — and that’s Proposal 1. Every 16 years, the Michigan Constitution automatically places the first question on the general election ballot, asking voters whether they want to hold a new Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) to amend the state constitution.
“The League of Women Voters of Michigan urges all Michiganians to vote no on Proposal 1. A Con-Con would be a long, costly process and it would allow special interests to insert their narrow agendas into our constitution in secret.
“The League of Women Voters of Michigan has worked to foster a healthy democracy for more than 100 years. Rooted in the women’s suffrage movement, the League continues to prioritize voting rights, improved elections, citizen-led redistricting and government transparency. Given our commitment to empowering voters and defending democracy, the League of Women Voters of Michigan strongly opposes a Con-Con,” said Denise Hartsough and Lynne Kochmanski of the League.
Michigan 2026 Ballot Proposal 2
“A Proposed Initiated Law To Prohibit Campaign Contributions From Certain Regulated Utilities And Apply Campaign Finance Laws And Regulations To Additional Types Of Political Communications.”
The proposal would: make it illegal for regulated electric and gas utilities, contractors with more than $250,000 annually in government contracts, and people and organizations with substantial connections to these utilities/contractors from making direct or indirect campaign contributions to those who run for or hold offices that impact them. Expand laws regulating spending on political communications, including those requiring disclosing donor information, to apply to communications clearly identifying candidates or ballot questions, even if they do not expressly advocate voting for/against them. Expressly apply the law requiring disclosure of who paid for political communications to internet political communications. Should this proposal be adopted?
The Michigan Utility and Government Contractor Campaign Finance Regulations Initiative, aka Michiganders for Money out of Politics, is an indirect initiated state statute that, if approved, would make it illegal for certain organizations and individuals, such as regulated electric and gas utilities, contractors with more than $250,000 annually in government contracts, and people and organizations with substantial connections to those utilities or contractors, from making direct or indirect contributions to those who run for office. It would also provide further regulations for campaign finance laws and spending on political communications. [See Michigan Advance, part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization for knowledgeable coverage of Michigan politics. Also see the League of Women Voters of Michigan – AutoCrat.]
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
November Michigan Ballot Proposals – UAW Con and Pro
Click for working people.
The politically active UAW* is focusing on two proposals with its member-led political program across the state of Michigan. This is on top of a slate of endorsed candidates up and down the ticket. The UAW is encouraging members and union households to vote No on Proposal 1 to protect the state’s constitution from “billionaire and corporate influence that could undermine hard fought victories in recent years like voting rights, fair redistricting, and reproductive freedom.” The UAW is also encouraging union voters to vote Yes on Proposal 2, the initiative that would “ban monopoly utility companies like DTE Energy and other corporations from flooding money into Michigan politics.”
“Nothing has shaped the current corrupt state of our government like the rise of corporate money and influence,” said UAW President Shawn Fain on the Union’s endorsement of Proposal 2. “Billionaires and corporations are pouring billions of dollars into our elections in America this year alone. They do it to rig the system in their favor, and working-class families pay the price.”
“We’re done with a system that allows corporate greed to dictate our politics. That’s why the UAW endorses a Yes vote on Proposal 2, Michigan Money Out of Politics. This initiative would at least stop a monopoly utility company like DTE from owning elected officials in Lansing, so our elected officials are accountable to the people, not a corporate checkbook,” said Fain.
Michigan 2026 Ballot Proposal 1
“Shall a convention of elected delegates be convened in 2027 to draft a general revision of the State Constitution for presentation to the state’s voters for their approval or rejection?
This question is required by Article XII, Section 3 of the Michigan Constitution to exist every 16 years to appear on the statewide ballot asking whether to convene a constitutional convention. A majority ‘yes’ vote would require the Michigan Legislature to convene a constitutional convention, with no separate enabling statute.”
“Even before the calendar turned to 2026, Michiganians were already seeing a steady stream of headlines about the important elections on the November ballot, including open seats for each of our statewide offices as well as one of Michigan’s seats in the U.S. Senate and others. However, an important measure guaranteed to be on the November ballot is generating far fewer headlines — and that’s Proposal 1. Every 16 years, the Michigan Constitution automatically places the first question on the general election ballot, asking voters whether they want to hold a new Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) to amend the state constitution.
“The League of Women Voters of Michigan urges all Michiganians to vote no on Proposal 1. A Con-Con would be a long, costly process and it would allow special interests to insert their narrow agendas into our constitution in secret.
“The League of Women Voters of Michigan has worked to foster a healthy democracy for more than 100 years. Rooted in the women’s suffrage movement, the League continues to prioritize voting rights, improved elections, citizen-led redistricting and government transparency. Given our commitment to empowering voters and defending democracy, the League of Women Voters of Michigan strongly opposes a Con-Con,” said Denise Hartsough and Lynne Kochmanski of the League.
Michigan 2026 Ballot Proposal 2
“A Proposed Initiated Law To Prohibit Campaign Contributions From Certain Regulated Utilities And Apply Campaign Finance Laws And Regulations To Additional Types Of Political Communications.”
The proposal would: make it illegal for regulated electric and gas utilities, contractors with more than $250,000 annually in government contracts, and people and organizations with substantial connections to these utilities/contractors from making direct or indirect campaign contributions to those who run for or hold offices that impact them. Expand laws regulating spending on political communications, including those requiring disclosing donor information, to apply to communications clearly identifying candidates or ballot questions, even if they do not expressly advocate voting for/against them. Expressly apply the law requiring disclosure of who paid for political communications to internet political communications. Should this proposal be adopted?
The Michigan Utility and Government Contractor Campaign Finance Regulations Initiative, aka Michiganders for Money out of Politics, is an indirect initiated state statute that, if approved, would make it illegal for certain organizations and individuals, such as regulated electric and gas utilities, contractors with more than $250,000 annually in government contracts, and people and organizations with substantial connections to those utilities or contractors, from making direct or indirect contributions to those who run for office. It would also provide further regulations for campaign finance laws and spending on political communications. [See Michigan Advance, part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization for knowledgeable coverage of Michigan politics. Also see the League of Women Voters of Michigan – AutoCrat.]
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.