Michigan's term limits for governor, other officials set by 1992 election ballot measure

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022 but she can't run again.

The Michigan Constitution limits governors to two, 4-year terms. Whitmer's current term ends on Jan. 1, 2027.

In the November 1992 election, 59% of Michigan voters approved a term-limit ballot question known as Proposal B.

It limited governors, lieutenant governors, secretaries of state and attorneys general to two, 4-year terms.

It limited state representatives to three, 2-year terms, and state senators to two, 4-year terms, though voters have since altered those requirements.

It also sought to limit the number of terms that could be served by Michigan representatives in the U.S. House and Senate.

Supporters of the ballot initiative at the time argued term limits would end the era of “career politicians,” create more political competition and reduce the influence of special interests.

Opponents of the measure called it unnecessary, said it would increase the power of the executive branch at the expense of the legislature and that because of the benefits of seniority in Congress, the federal limits would disadvantage Michigan in relation to states without them.

The federal limits were never enforced and in 1995, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in an Arkansas case that state limits on federal offices were unconstitutional.

In the November 2022 election, Michigan voters revisited the question of term limits when 66% approved Proposal 1.

It changed term limits for state lawmakers to 12 years of service in the legislature to be served in either chamber or a combination of both. That measure also required state lawmakers to file annual financial disclosure statements.

Contact John Wisely: jwisely@freepress.com or on X @jwisely.