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Michigan elections are relatively unusual for certain offices — while voters will get to nominate candidates for a new governor and U.S. Senator during the August statewide primary, the two major political parties already made their favored picks for attorney general, secretary of state and university board positions at endorsement conventions this spring.
But some lawmakers want to change up the process. Joint resolutions introduced on May 21 in the Michigan House and Senate would see voters decide on AG and secretary of state picks during the statewide primary and give the governor power to appoint members to boards at the state’s three public research institutions, the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University.
Reps. Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock, and Joe Tate, D-Detroit, introduced a joint resolution in the House that would allow voters to decide if Michigan should move secretary of state and AG nominations to the primary, rather that allow party delegates to decide at nominating conventions. A similar resolution was offered in the Senate by Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township.
Currently, Michigan is one of three states that holds nominating conventions in lieu of primaries for certain offices, along with South Dakota and Indiana. Republicans and Democrats held endorsement conventions this spring to decide which candidates will face off in November, and will officially nominate them at fall conventions.
“I feel, and I think a lot of other people feel, that we’re missing out on a lot of good possible candidates because they just don’t want to step forward under this system,” Markkanen said on May 22.
In order to get on the ballot, the resolution would need two-thirds approval from the Legislature. Under state law, joint resolutions to amend the Michigan Constitution do not need approval from the governor if they receive the required legislative support.
Timing, however, could prove to be an issue, at least for August. State law gives the Legislature a deadline of June 5 to get a constitutional amendment on the August primary ballot. Lawmakers won’t be in session due to the Detroit Regional Chamber’s annual conference on Mackinac Island, leaving just one session week before the June 5 deadline to muster two-thirds support in each chamber.
House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, said during a May 20 press conference he had not taken a position on moving nominations for AG and secretary of state to the August primary.
Markkanen said conversations are ongoing with other House members to drum up support for the resolution. He acknowledged the August target may be too soon, but said he is fine with working on placing language on the November ballot if the resolution is not approved before June 5.
In Michigan, terms for AG and secretary of state are four years long, meaning any effort to open up the nominating process to voters will not come to fruition until 2030 at the earliest.
Reporting by Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
