Next Tuesday, November 6th, Michigan will be holding our 2018 Midterm elections and there are three big proposals on the ballet. Here is our non-biased guide to what each proposal entails and what will happen if they pass! We encourage everyone to do their research and head out to vote on November 6th. If you need help finding where you need to vote, click
. If you need a ride to the polls on election day, click
. If you already know where you're going and how you're getting there, read ahead to find out more about the three 2018 proposals that we will be voting on.
Proposal-1: Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol
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.
What Does this Mean:
If passed, everyone over the age of 21 would be able to purchase marijuana from licensed retailers. You would also be able to grow 12 plants within your home. The sale of marijuana would be taxed at 10%, and 35 % of the taxes would go to education, 35% to roads, and 30% would go to communities housing marijuana businesses.
Proposal-2: Voters Not Politicians
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.
What Does This Mean: If approved this amendment would require that "regular" "non-biased" citizens would have some influence on how voting districts are established.
Proposal-3: Promote The Vote
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 post-election 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.
What Does This Mean- If passed this would make it easier to register to vote, to obtain an absentee ballot for any reason and it would enact checks and balances to make sure that electronic voting procedures are accurate and tamper proof.
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