Is Michigan's Petition Drive System Broken?

The Week That Was on Deadline Detroit

Today, Craig revisits a conversation from earlier this year with John Lindstrom, former publisher of Gongwer News Service in Lansing. They discuss Michigan's constitution, and a provision that allows for voter referendums that are basically veto proof. Under Michigan law, petition drives that gather enough signatures under the law can go straight to the Legislature, which if they approve, can not be vetoed by the Governor. The referendum method of creating law has been used many times in recent decades, and now is being used by Michigan Republicans to get Voter ID requirements passed despite a likely veto by Governor Whitmer. Michigan's law is unique...only 340 thousand signatures are needed to get the issue in front of the Legislature. This means a very small minority of voters can get laws passed without the Governor's signature, or a vote of the population. Is it time to change this? What needs to be done to make that happen?