Hopefully, you are able to exercise your franchise rights this Tuesday at the voting booth – maybe early on your way to work, or maybe later on your way home from work. You pretty much know how you’re going to vote and with ballot in hand, you quickly check off the boxes. You’re home free and the heady rush of living in a free society begins to release some low-level endorphins, until you hit the proposals.
The mild euphoria of being an active voter suddenly comes to a skidding halt as you try to fathom the legalese of the proposals. Negativity intrudes upon this feel-good moment like a steel ball dropped into the punch bowl. Thoughts rush in: Can I trust what how the media told me to vote? There are people in line behind me wishing me to stop my dilly-dallying. I just want to get the sticker and move on with the day.
Or maybe you’re not like me. But if you are, and if you would like a preview of the proposals facing us in the Dexter area, here’s a sneak peak. There is a brief explanation followed by the language as it appears on the ballot.
STATE OF MICHIGAN PROPOSAL 1
COALITION TO REGULATE MARIJUANA LIKE ALCOHOL: Proposed initiated law to authorize the personal possession and use of marihuana by individuals aged 21 years and older and control the commercial production and distribution of marihuana. Initiative petition filed on November 20, 2017. On April 26, 2018, the Board of State Canvassers determined that the petition contained a sufficient number of valid signatures.
Official Ballot Wording approved by Board of State Canvassers, September 6, 2018, from the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol:
Proposal 18-1
A proposed initiated law to authorize and legalize possession, use and cultivation of marijuana products by individuals who are at least 21 years of age and older, and commercial sales of marijuana through state-licensed retailers
This proposal would:
- Allow individuals 21 and older to purchase, possess and use marijuana and marijuana-infused edibles, and grow up to 12 marijuana plants for personal consumption.
- Impose a 10-ounce limit for marijuana kept at residences and require amounts over 2.5 ounces be secured in locked containers.
- Create a state licensing system for marijuana businesses and allow municipalities to ban or restrict them.
- Permit retail sales of marijuana and edibles subject to a 10% tax, dedicated to implementation costs, clinical trials, schools, roads, and municipalities where marijuana businesses are located.
- Change several current violations from crimes to civil infractions.
Should this proposal be adopted?
[ ] YES
[ ] NO
STATE OF MICHIGAN PROPOSAL 2
VOTERS NOT POLITICIANS: Proposed constitutional amendment to create a commission of citizens for redistricting purposes and authorize the Commission to adopt reapportionment plans for Congressional, State Senate and State House of Representatives districts. Initiative petition filed on December 18, 2017. On June 20, 2018, the Board of State Canvassers determined that the petition contained a sufficient number of valid signatures.
Official Ballot Wording approved by Board of State Canvassers, August 30, 2018, from Voters Not Politicians:
Proposal 18-2
A proposed constitutional amendment to establish a commission of citizens with exclusive authority to adopt district boundaries for the Michigan Senate, Michigan House of Representatives and U.S. Congress, every 10 years.
This proposed constitutional amendment would:
- Create a commission of 13 registered voters randomly selected by the Secretary of State:
- 4 each who self-identify as affiliated with the 2 major political parties; and
- 5 who self-identify as unaffiliated with major political parties.
- Prohibit partisan officeholders and candidates, their employees, certain relatives, and lobbyists from serving as commissioners.
- Establish new redistricting criteria including geographically compact and contiguous districts of equal population, reflecting Michigan’s diverse population and communities of interest. Districts shall not provide disproportionate advantage to political parties or candidates.
- Require an appropriation of funds for commission operations and commissioner compensation.
Should this proposal be adopted?
[ ] YES
[ ] NO
STATE OF MICHIGAN PROPOSAL 3
PROMOTE THE VOTE: Proposed constitutional amendment to regulate authorize no-reason absentee voting, require a straight party voting option on general election ballots, provide for automatic and Election Day voter registration, require post-election audits, and other voting changes. Initiative petition filed on July 9, 2018. On September 6, 2018, the Board of State Canvassers determined that the petition contained a sufficient number of valid signatures.
Official Ballot Wording approved by Board of State Canvassers, September 7, 2018, by Promote the Vote:
Proposal 18-3
A proposal to authorize automatic and Election Day voter registration, no-reason absentee voting, and straight ticket voting; and add current legal requirements for military and overseas voting and postelection audits to the Michigan Constitution.
This proposed constitutional amendment would allow a United States citizen who is qualified to vote in Michigan to:
- Become automatically registered to vote when applying for, updating or renewing a driver’s license or state-issued personal identification card, unless the person declines.
- Simultaneously register to vote with proof of residency and obtain a ballot during the 2-week period prior to an election, up to and including Election Day.
- Obtain an absent voter ballot without providing a reason.
- Cast a straight-ticket vote for all candidates of a particular political party when voting in a partisan general election.
Should this proposal be adopted?
[ ] YES
[ ] NO
WASHTENAW COUNTY – 1 PROPOSAL
Official wording as it appears on the ballot:
Proposition to Renew the Tax Limitation for Parks and Recreation Purposes Including Acquisition, Development, Maintenance and Operation of Park Lands and Recreation Facilities for the Benefit of Washtenaw County Citizens
“To renew the millage expiring after December 31, 2019, shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be imposed each year for all purposes on real and tangible personal property in Washtenaw County be increased as provided in Section 6, Article IX of the Constitution of the State of Michigan and the Board of Commissioners of the County be authorized to levy a tax not to exceed one quarter of one mill, reduced by the Headlee Amendment to 0.2314 ($0.2314 per $1,000.00 of state equalized valuation) on the taxable value of such property for a period of ten years beginning with the levy made on December 1, 2020 (which will generate estimated revenues of $3.84 million in the first year) for the purpose of acquiring, developing, operating and maintaining park lands and recreational facilities for County citizens?”
Should this proposal be adopted?
[ ] YES
[ ] NO
