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Citizens Research Council: Proposal 2: Mop Up Michigan/Money Out of Politics: Analysis, Podcast, Webinar, Summary

MBN: CRC Mich

Highlights:

  • Proposal 2: Mop Up Michigan Initiative
    • Proposal 2 Research Paper
    • Proposal 2 Research Summary
    • Proposal 2 Webinar
    • Proposal 2 Podcast
  • Grand Rapids Lunch & Learn: Proposals 1 and 2. Ticket Deadline Monday
  • 2026 Annual Public Policy Dinner Photos – more to come; see website
  • Bridge Michigan Issues Summit

Proposal 2026-02: Mop Up Michigan

Proposal 2, the Mop Up Michigan or “Money Out of Politics” ballot proposal, is a proposed statutory initiative to amend the Michigan Campaign Finance Act (MCFA).

If Proposal 2 is adopted, the law would be amended to:

— Require “paid for by” disclosures on certain political ads distributed on the internet.

— Expand donor and spending disclosure for certain political ads.

— Restrict certain campaign contributions by regulated utilities and their principals and state and local government contractors and their principals.

The different aspects of the proposal operate independently and attempt to address different underlying concerns about the influence of money in politics. Voters, however, will cast their vote for or against the entire proposal on the overall merits.

If Proposal 2 is rejected, disclosure requirements and the ability of regulated utilities and government contractors to contribute to political campaigns would remain unchanged. The legislature could choose to address any or all of these issues at some point in the future.

Major Issues to Consider

— Michigan’s campaign finance law currently allows groups to run political ads without disclosing their donors or spending if the ads avoid using “express advocacy” language, even if the purpose of the ad is clearly to influence voters at an upcoming election. Proposal 2 would provide the public with more information about these ads and the organizations running them. It is unclear whether these disclosure requirements will affect the volume of these ads or voter behavior.

— Regulated utilities and some government contractors make significant campaign contributions in Michigan. Supporters of Proposal 2 argue that these contributions lead government officials to take favorable regulatory action and award/oversee contracts based on political influence, resulting in worse outcomes for the public. It is unclear how much impact restrictions on campaign contributions would have on these issues, given other methods of political influence and the regulatory complexity of the targeted industries.

— Laws restricting political spending must clear a high constitutional bar under existing U.S. Supreme Court precedent. The provisions restricting utility and contractor campaign contributions would likely be challenged as failing to meet a sufficiently important governmental interest and/or as restricting more speech than is necessary, even if that governmental interest is upheld.

Podcast and Webinar: Proposal 2 promises to “get money out of politics,” but what does it actually do?

In this episode of the #FactsMatter Podcast, host Guy Gordon and Research Council analyst Karley Abramson break down the three major changes that would take effect if Michigan voters approve Proposal 2026-02: Mop Up Michigan Initiative which expanded disclosure rules for modern digital ads, new contribution bans for large state contractors, and the more widely known prohibition on political donations from regulated utility companies.

Karley explains where Proposal 2 addresses real concerns, but only within narrow constitutional limits, and why some impacts may be smaller than voters expect.

They also discuss how Proposal 2’s effects may be modest and that some parts may face legal challenges. Voters will ultimately weigh transparency and anti-corruption goals against free-speech concerns.

On Thursday, October 1, the Research Council hosted a free informational webinar on Proposal 2. A recording of the webinar, including the slides, are available below.

Find all #FactsMatter podcasts on Substack, Apple, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you get your podcasts. LIKE and SUBSCRIBE!

 

A Successful Evening Honoring Former Congressmen Dan Kildee and Fred Upton at the 2026 Annual Public Policy Dinner

Photo Credits: Shrewsbury Photography

 

Grand Rapids Lunch & Learn: A Briefing on November’s Ballot Measures

The Research Council, in collaboration with the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, is hosting a free Lunch & Learn event at Grand Valley State University, Thursday, October 8 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, to discuss both measures on the statewide November ballot.

– Proposal 1 – Whether to convene a constitutional convention for the purpose of drafting a new state constitution
– Proposal 2 – Money out of Politics to prohibit campaign contributions from regulated electric and gas utilities and contractors with over $250,000 annually in government contracts; to expand laws regulating spending on political communications; and to require disclosure of who paid for internet political communication.

Lunch will be served at noon with the presentation to follow.

Please do not wait to reserve your place. Ticket sales for the free Lunch & Learn event close on Monday, October 5. Event details found in the reservation link, below.

 

Attend the Bridge Michigan Issues Summit, Oct. 21

Citizens Research Council of Michigan is proud to be a Civic Partner of the Bridge Michigan Issues Summit.

On Oct. 21, the Bridge Michigan Issues Summit will take place at Marygrove Conservancy in Detroit, creating a space to discuss the key issues shaping Michigan. The journalist-led event will cover the 2026 election, the talent pipeline, healthcare affordability, and energy. Attendees can tune in to the free summit in-person or online to participate. Register today to attend the program, happy hour, and networking reception.

 

Media Coverage

12 Articles. One Constitution. Proposal 1. What To Know Before Voting, Michigan Business Network (October 1)

Michigan Faces an $85 Billion Water Infrastructure Challenge. Who Will Pay for It? Detroit Regional Chamber (October 1)

Proposal 2 targets political giving by businesses. A court fight is a sure bet. Crain’s Detroit Business (September 30)

How the ‘Money Out of Politics’ ballot initiative would work if passed, The Pulse/Fox2 Detroit (September 29)

Michigan research council predicts legal challenges if money-out-of-politics campaign succeeds, Interlochen Public Radio (September 29)

Citizens Research Council outlines impacts of Mop Up Michigan initiative, Michigan Advance (September 29)

Absentee ballots arrive as Michigan voters weigh Proposal 2 on money in politics, UpNorthLive 7&4 (September 29)

Should Michigan hold a constitutional convention? Voters will decide this November, WCMU Public Media (September 29)

Michigan research council predicts legal challenges if money-out-of-politics campaign succeeds, Michigan Public (September 29)

CRC: MMOP Could Impact Political Ads, Keeping Money Out Questionable, MIRS News (Sept. 28)

CRC: Political donation ban measure likely to draw legal challenges, shift in ad spending, Gongwer | State Affairs (September 28)

What to know about Proposal 1 on Michigan ballots, TV6 Beyond The Ballot (September 28)

Proposal 1: Rewrite Michigan’s Constitution? Here’s how it would work, Bridge Michigan (September 28)

Michigan’s Data Center Tax Breaks Demystified, The Balanced Sheet/Steve Watson Substack (September 28)

Farm Bureau encourages members to learn about constitutional convention ballot proposal, Michigan Farm News (September 25)

Report: Michigan facing $85B funding gap for water infrastructure needs in next two decades, Gongwer | State Affairs (September 24)

Bill signed by Whitmer requires fee-free rent payment options for tenants, MLive (September 23)

“Teen Takeovers” on the Rise? Evidence Shows Youth Crime Down in Detroit, Michigan Business Network (September 24)

Michigan voters to decide on 2 state proposals in November election, 9&10 News (September 23)

What would happen if Michigan voters called a constitutional convention, The Detroit News (September 23)

Proposal 26-1 – Constitutional Revision / Citizens Research Council (webinar recording), LWV Dearborn (September 23)

Is Michigan ‘broken’ enough for voters to approve rewriting Constitution? Detroit News (Sept. 23)

Unlikely allies team up against proposal that could rewrite Michigan constitution, Crain’s Detroit Business (September 23)

Rural townships squeezed on all sides in Michigan, as money woes mount, Bridge Michigan (September 22)

Con-Con Could Reopen Abortion, Taxes, Term Limits, MIRS News (September 22)

Whitmer Signs Bills To Balance Fiscal Year 2027 Budget, WGHN Radio (September 22)

Research council releases final report on Michigan constitutional convention question, WILX (September 22)

Survey: Michigan local leaders sour on data centers, want more regulations, Bridge Michigan (September 22)

The Mids: University governing boards on your ballot? Michigan Public (September 21)

Whitmer Signs Bills To Patch FY ’27 Budget, Finance $1.3B In College Projects, MIRS News (September 21)

Citizens Research Council to review Constitutional Convention series, Capital Notebook/Gongwer | State Affairs (September 21)

Michigan Voters Weigh Whether to Rewrite State Constitution, WJR Detroit (September 21)

Analyzing Michigan’s Two Ballot Proposals, Media Meet-WNMU (September 19)

House backs data center ratepayer measure, Shoreline Media Group (September 18)

How much local government does Michigan Need? Michigan: We Need to Talk/Stephen Henderson (September 17)

 

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