Thirty-six candidates are running for nine spots on the Lansing Charter Commission on May 7. The winners will be tasked with revising and rewriting Michigan’s state capital’s city charter over the coming years.
Last November, Lansing voters approved a ballot question calling for the creation of the charter commission, with 52% voting in favor. The city’s current charter, enacted in 1978, requires residents to vote on whether to create a charter commission every 12 years, with 2023 being the first time voters approved the measure. In 2011, the last time commission creation was on the ballot, 65% of voters rejected the proposal.
As a result of last November’s vote, Lansing voters must now select who will serve on the charter commission.
Once the commission is elected, it will have three years to recommend changes to the existing city charter, which operates somewhat like a constitution but for a locality.
According to the Michigan Municipal League, any recommended changes must be reviewed by the state attorney general and approved by the governor. If approved, the revised charter then will appear on the local ballot for final voter approval.
In Lansing, with 36 candidates running, slates have begun to form leading up to the election.
On March 15, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRC) teamed up with local unions and business groups to endorse nine candidates for the charter commission. In its endorsement, the chamber said “These endorsements aim to promote candidates who will champion the rights of workers, foster economic growth, and advocate for a government that works for everyone.”
On March 28, in response to the LRC’s endorsements, a separate group of nine candidates announced they would run as a slate called the Lansing Community Alliance (LCA). In a press release, the LCA said it “represents the values of inclusivity, integrity, and community engagement” and would “ensure that city government has more checks and balances, greater accessibility, transparency, and accountability.”
While this is Lansing’s first charter commission in more than 40 years, they aren’t entirely uncommon across the state. For example, in 2021, Detroit voters rejected a revised charter, and voters in Pontiac will decide on a revision later this year.
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