Michigan's democracy works best when its citizens make the choices. It is time to take nominating power away from the insiders and return it to the voters.
Replace political party nominating conventions for Attorney General and Secretary of State with statewide primary elections, and allow gubernatorial nominees to choose their own running mates.
Convention delegates are overwhelmingly drawn from the ranks of longtime party activists, county committee members, special interest groups, and political insiders. Average voters have no practical path to influence these nominations — even if they have voted faithfully in every election for decades.
"A few hundred delegates should not decide who millions of voters get to choose between in November."
We're calling for an end to party nominating conventions for Attorney General and Secretary of State, and allowing gubernatorial nominees to choose their own running mates. The fix is straightforward: a constitutional amendment approved by Michigan voters in November 2026.
Coverage, press releases, and official statements from the Voters Not Insiders campaign.
Jason Roe and Lon Johnson join NBC's Flashpoint to discuss Michigan election changes, including the push to replace party nominating conventions with open primaries for Attorney General and Secretary of State.
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, running for governor, says it's "long past time" that Michigan's Attorney General and Secretary of State candidates be decided on the primary ballot rather than through party-run conventions.
Lon Johnson, co-director of the Voters Not Insiders ballot drive, joins Off the Record (Season 55, Ep. 45) to discuss the push to give Michigan voters a direct say in nominating candidates for Attorney General and Secretary of State.
Detroit News columnist Nolan Finley examines Michigan's nominating conventions for Attorney General and Secretary of State, and the growing case for replacing the insider-driven process with open primaries.
GOP strategist Jason Cabel Roe breaks down why he's co-leading the bipartisan Voters Not Insiders ballot drive alongside Democrats, and how the campaign aims to bring open primaries to Michigan.
Jason Roe and Lon Johnson — the bipartisan co-directors of Voters Not Insiders — explain the ballot drive that would move nomination of Michigan's Attorney General and Secretary of State from party conventions to open primary elections.
FOX 2 Detroit sits down with the bipartisan duo leading the Voters Not Insiders effort as they make the case for scrapping closed party conventions in favor of letting all Michigan voters choose candidates for state office.
For interviews, statements, or press materials, reach out to our communications team.
Replacing closed conventions with open primaries requires a constitutional amendment — here's how we get there.
The fix does not require reinventing Michigan's electoral architecture. The state already runs well-administered primary elections for Governor, Senate, Congress, and the State Legislature. Amending the Michigan Constitution requires three clear steps.
The State Senate and House of Representatives must draft ballot language that will be presented to Michigan voters statewide. The language must clearly describe the proposed constitutional change.
Michigan State Senate & House of Representatives
Both chambers of the Michigan Legislature must approve the ballot language by a supermajority vote — a high bar that ensures broad bipartisan support before voters weigh in.
26 votes in the Michigan Senate & 74 votes in the State House
The proposed amendment goes directly to Michigan voters on the November 2026 ballot. If approved, the convention system is replaced — power returns to the people where it belongs.
November 2026 General Election
Michigan's top law enforcement officer would be nominated through an open primary, giving every voter a voice in who represents them — not just party delegates.
The official responsible for elections and voting would face voters directly in a primary, creating stronger democratic accountability from the start.
Gubernatorial nominees would be empowered to choose their own running mate — creating clearer governance partnerships and executive accountability.
Michigan would join 47 other states in giving ordinary voters a direct say in who competes on the November ballot for the state's most important offices.
Contact your state legislators. Sign up to stay informed. Spread the word. The reform only succeeds if Michiganders show up and demand it.
Get Involved TodayDemocracy needs citizens. Sign up to stay informed, connect with fellow Michiganders, and help bring this reform to the November ballot.
Share on social media, talk to neighbors, and help Michigan voters understand why this reform matters for everyone.
Call or write your State Senator and State Representative. Tell them you support open primaries and want this on the November ballot.
When the amendment reaches the 2026 ballot, show up and vote YES to restore nominating power to Michigan's voters.
Join thousands of Michiganders who believe voters — not insiders — should decide who's on the ballot.
Paid for with regulated funds by Voters Not Insiders, PO Box 7036, Novi, MI 48376. By signing up you agree to receive updates about the campaign. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Voters Not Insiders is a nonpartisan campaign dedicated to a single principle: the people of Michigan — not party insiders or special interests — should decide who appears on the ballot for the state's most important offices.
Michigan is one of just three states that still allows a small group of party insiders to nominate statewide candidates through closed conventions rather than open primary elections. Our mission is straightforward: amend the Michigan Constitution so that every registered voter — not just a few hundred convention delegates — has a voice in who represents them.
Have a question about the campaign or the reform effort? We'd love to hear from you.
admin@votersnotinsiders.com
Journalists, reporters, and media professionals can reach our communications team directly.
admin@votersnotinsiders.com
Voters Not Insiders
PO Box 7036
Novi, MI 48376
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