Governor Whitmer Urges 'No' Vote on Michigan Constitutional Convention, Citing Abortion Rights Risk
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is actively campaigning against a ballot proposal that would initiate a constitutional convention in the state. This proposal, appearing as Proposal One on the November ballot, asks voters every 16 years whether they wish to draft a new state constitution. Governor Whitmer, a Democrat, argues that approving this measure could jeopardize abortion rights, which were enshrined in Michigan's constitution by voters in 2022. She joined reproductive rights advocates in a virtual press conference to emphasize her concerns, stating that a constitutional convention could allow politicians to 'roll back and undermine women's reproductive freedom.' If passed, delegates would be elected in a special election and would convene next year in Lansing to potentially rewrite the state's constitution from scratch, putting all existing constitutional provisions, including abortion rights, up for debate.
