Bill Text: MI SJRJ | 2025-2026 | 103rd Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Elections: primary; nomination process for secretary of state and attorney general; modify, and provide for gubernatorial appointment of regents, trustees, or board of governors for universities. Amends sec. 21, art. V & sec. 5, art. VIII of the state constitution.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Introduced) 2026-06-04 - Referred To Committee On Government Operations [SJRJ Detail]
Download: Michigan-2025-SJRJ-Introduced.html
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION J
A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the state constitution of 1963, by amending section 21 of article V and section 5 of article VIII, to modify the nominating process for the secretary of state and attorney general and to provide for gubernatorial appointment of the members of the governing boards of the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University by and with the advice and consent of the senate.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the state of Michigan, That the following amendment to the state constitution of 1963, to modify the nominating process for the secretary of state and attorney general and to provide for gubernatorial appointment of the members of the governing boards of the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University by and with the advice and consent of the senate, is proposed, agreed to, and submitted to the people of the state:
ARTICLE V
Sec. 21. (1) The governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and attorney general shall be elected for four-year terms at the general election in each alternate even-numbered year.
(2) The Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3), the lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and attorney general shall be nominated by party conventions in a manner prescribed by law. In the general election one vote shall be cast jointly for the candidates for governor and lieutenant governor nominated by the same party.
(3) Beginning January 1, 2027, and except as otherwise provided by law, the secretary of state and attorney general shall be nominated by primary elections in the manner and by the political parties prescribed by law.
(4) Vacancies in the office of the secretary of state and attorney general shall be filled by appointment by the governor.
article VIII
Sec. 5. The regents of the University of Michigan and their successors in office shall constitute a body corporate known as the Regents of the University of Michigan; the trustees of Michigan State University and their successors in office shall constitute a body corporate known as the Board of Trustees of Michigan State University; the governors of Wayne State University and their successors in office shall constitute a body corporate known as the Board of Governors of Wayne State University. Each board shall have general supervision of its institution and the control and direction of all expenditures from the institution's funds. Each board shall, as often as necessary, elect a president of the institution under its supervision. He The president shall be the principal executive officer of the institution, be ex-officio a member of the board without the right to vote and preside at meetings of the board. The board of each institution shall consist of eight members who shall hold office for terms of eight years. and who Until December 31, 2026, the members of a board under this section shall be elected as provided by law, . The and the governor shall fill board vacancies by appointment. Each An appointee shall hold office until a successor has been nominated and elected as provided by law.appointed as provided in this section. Subject to this section, beginning January 1, 2027, the governor shall appoint members of the board of each institution for terms of eight years by and with the advice and consent of the senate. A member elected to a board before January 1, 2027, may serve that member's elected term of office and is thereafter eligible for appointment as provided in this section.
Resolved further, That the foregoing amendment shall be submitted to the people of the state at the next general election in the manner provided by law.
