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Utility and Government Contractor Campaign Finance Regulations Initiative

On the ballot

Michigan · November 2026 general election · Citizen initiative · Election day November 3, 2026
Topics: Elections and voting, Government structure

In plain language

This initiated statute would bar regulated electric and gas utilities, government contractors receiving more than $250,000 a year from the state, and people or organizations with substantial ties to those utilities or contractors from making campaign contributions to candidates or officeholders. It would also expand Michigan's campaign finance disclosure rules to cover more political advertising, including online ads, that identifies a candidate or ballot proposal without directly telling people how to vote. The Legislature had 40 days to enact the measure itself; the state House passed it but the state Senate did not act, sending it to voters.

Fiscal impact

No official fiscal note has been issued for this measure yet.

When the state publishes a fiscal analysis, it will appear here and be listed in the sources below.

What supporters and opponents say

These are summaries of arguments made by the named organizations, drawn from the sources listed below. They are their claims, not this site's, and this site takes no position on the measure.

What supporters say

  • Michiganders for Money Out of Politics, the sponsoring committee, says the measure would reduce the influence that regulated utilities and large state contractors have over candidates and officeholders who oversee them. Co-chair Christy McGillivray called the signature certification "proof that a people-powered movement can stand up to some of the most powerful special interests in Michigan."
  • State Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton Township), who urged the Legislature to act on the citizen petition, said large industries have too much influence over state politics and that no one should have a louder voice simply because they have deeper pockets.

Attributed to Michiganders for Money Out of Politics.

What opponents say

  • Protect MI Free Speech, an opposition committee whose contributors include the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, and the parent company of Consumers Energy, challenged the sufficiency of the petition's signatures before the Board of State Canvassers and has said it may pursue further legal action; attorney Gary Gordon argued the petitions contained numerous signature errors.
  • Opponents represented by Protect MI Free Speech argue the measure would restrict the free speech of employees at regulated utilities and government contractors.

Attributed to Protect MI Free Speech.

Official ballot language

The certified ballot text is not yet available for this measure. Once the state certifies it, the verbatim wording will appear here.

Sources

Everything on this page traces to these sources. Follow them to read the original documents.

Last updated . How this page is sourced and corrected is described in the correction policy.