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HJR U

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.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Greg Markkanen and 1 co-sponsor

Michigan voters would approve shifting nominations for secretary of state and attorney general to primary elections and create nine-member bipartisan university boards with ethics

referred to Committee on Rules
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Bill Summary · HJR U

Overview

House Joint Resolution U is a proposed constitutional amendment in Michigan that, if approved by voters, would:
- change how the secretary of state and attorney general are nominated (switch from party convention nominating to primary elections starting January 1, 2027),
- reorganize the governing boards of the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University into nine-member, bipartisan boards appointed by the governor with Senate consent,
- impose term limits and eligibility requirements for those boards (including alumni association input and at least one member with farming expertise for MSU),
- establish a structured timeline for initial board appointments and set a framework for ongoing governance.

The measure would require voter approval in a special election scheduled for August 4, 2026.

Purpose and Intent

  • Modernize the nominating process for two statewide executive officers (secretary of state and attorney general) by moving from party conventions to primary elections.
  • Create more robust, bipartisan university governance for Michigan’s three major public universities by expanding boards to nine members, rotating terms, and introducing eligibility criteria intended to enhance ethics and bipartisanship.
  • Ensure university boards operate under state ethics laws and with greater accountability through gubernatorial appointment with Senate advice and consent.

Key Provisions

Nominating Process for Secretary of State and Attorney General

  • Current mechanism (nomination by party conventions) would be replaced.
  • Beginning January 1, 2027, both positions would be nominated through primary elections, with the general election process unchanged (one vote for governor and lieutenant governor from the same party).

University Governance Structure (Boards)

  • Before Dec 30, 2026: Boards for UM, MSU, and Wayne State would have eight members serving eight-year terms, appointed by the governor.
  • After Dec 31, 2026: Each institution would have a nine-member board, with:
    • No more than five members from the same political party.
    • Governor appointments for one full eight-year term, subject to Senate advice and consent.
    • At least one board member appointed from a list of three nominees provided by the respective institution’s alumni association.
    • MSU board must include at least one member with practical farming experience.
    • All board members must comply with state ethics laws.
  • Vacancies: Governor appoints to fill unexpired terms; a vacancy serving less than four full years allows appointment to a full eight-year term.
  • First-time appointment schedule (post-2026):
    • The initial nine-member boards will have staggered terms with specific term end dates (2028, 2030, 2032, 2034) to establish a rotation.
    • The governor (two different term calendars) appoints the initial four terms starting in 2026-2027, with the next five to be appointed by the subsequent governor.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Statewide elected officials: secretary of state and attorney general (nomination process changes).
  • Public university governance: boards for the University of Michigan (UM), Michigan State University (MSU), and Wayne State University (WSU) would shift to nine-member, bipartisan boards subject to Senate confirmation.
  • University stakeholders: alumni associations (input via nomination lists), faculty, students, and staff who are affected by governance changes and ethics compliance.
  • General public: voters would decide on both the nomination process change and the constitutional board reforms in a special election.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduction and referral: May 21, 2026; referred to Committee on Government Operations.
  • Special election: August 4, 2026 for voter approval.
  • Effective changes (if approved):
    • January 1, 2027: Secretary of State and Attorney General nominations shift to primary elections.
    • December 30, 2026 and December 31, 2026: Transition from 8-member to 9-member boards, with phased timing and term arrangements beginning in 2027-2034.
  • Constitutional amendment format: Requires voter ratification (as with all Michigan constitutional amendments).

Notable Details and Considerations

  • The amendment explicitly seeks to limit party dominance on university boards (no more than five from one party).
  • Alumni associations play a formal role by providing a list of three nominees for at least one member on each board.
  • MSU adds a requirement for practical farming experience on at least one board member.
  • The text emphasizes that board members must comply with state ethics laws.
  • The combined package is framed to be presented as a single question to voters, linking the primary nomination change with the establishment of new, term-limited, bipartisan university boards.

If you’d like, I can provide a plain-languageFAQ or a side-by-side comparison with the current constitutional provisions to illustrate each change more concretely.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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