Michigan Constitutional Conventions

Inauguration of Gov. Chase S. Osborn, Jan. 2, 1911

Inauguration of Gov. Chase S. Osborn, Jan. 2, 1911

In the course of its existence as a state, Michigan has had four different constitutions. In addition two further constitutions were prepared but were rejected by the people. The Michigan Historical Collections has collected manuscript and published materials relating to all five constitutional conventions and one constitutional commission. Holdings are particularly rich for the most recent convention, held in 1961 and 1962.

Constitutional Convention, 1835

Appeal by the convention of Michigan, to the people of the United States, with other documents, in relation to the boundary question between Michigan and Ohio /
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1835)
Published: Detroit : S. M'Knight, 1835.
Description: 176 p. ; 24 cm.

Daily journal of the convention to form a constitution, Monday, May 11, 1835 [-Friday, June 19, 1835.
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1835)
Published: Detroit? 1835] [Available online]

Draft of constitution.
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1835). Committee to Draft a Constitution.
Published: [Detroit?] 1835.

Message from the President of the United States, with a copy of the Constitution adopted by the people of Michigan for forming a state government, &c.
Author: Michigan.
Published: [Washington] : Gales & Seaton, print., [1835]

The Michigan constitutional conventions of 1835-36; debates and proceedings,
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1835)
Published: Ann Arbor, The University of Michigan press; London, H. Milford, Oxford university press, 1940. [Available online]

Constitutional Convention, 1850

Journal of the Constitutional convention of the state of Michigan.
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1850)
Published: Lansing, R. W. Ingals, state printer, 1850. [Available online]

Manual, containing the rules of the convention to revise the constitution of the state of Michigan & other matter ...
Author: Michigan. Constitutional convention (1850)
Published: Lansing, F.W. Ingals, 1850.

Peter R. Adams papers, 1826-1883.
Author: Adams, Peter R., 1805-1883.

Report of the proceedings and debates in the Convention to revise the constitution of the state of Michigan.1850.
Author: Michigan. Constitutional convention (1850)
Published: Lansing : R.W. Ingals, state printer, 1850.
[Available online]

Constitutional Convention, 1867

The debates and proceedings of the Constitutional convention of the state of Michigan,
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1867)
Published: Lansing, J. A. Kerr & co., printers to the state, 1867. [Available online]

Journal of the Constitutional convention of the state of Michigan.
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1867)
Published: Lansing, J. A. Kerr & co., printers to the state, 1867. [Available online]

Manual of the Constitutional convention of the state of Michigan. Begun in the Capitol, at Lansing, May 15, A.D. 1867.
Author: Michigan. Constitutional convention (1867)
Published: Lansing, Mich., J.A. Kerr & co., 1867. [Available online]

Michigan Constitutional Convention photograph collection.
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1867)
Published: 1867.

Constitutional Commission, 1873

The constitution of Michigan with amendments thereto : as recommended by the Constitutional Commission of 1873 ; and reported to the governor, with an analysis of the changes proposed.
Author: Michigan.
Published: Lansing : W.S. George, 1873. [Available online]

Journal of the Constitutional commission of Michigan /
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Commission, 1873.
Published: Lansing : W. S. George & co., state printers, 1873.
[Available online]

Constitutional Convention, 1907-1908

Papers of Delegates

Levi L. Barbour photograph series.
Author: Barbour, Levi L. (Levi Lewis), 1840-1925.
Published: 1860s-1920s.
Forms part of Barbour, Levi L. Papers, 1857-1926.

John J. Carton papers, 1883-1921.
Author: Carton, John J. (John Jay), 1856-1934.

Sligh family papers, 1842-1967.
Author: Sligh family.

Roger Irving Wykes papers, 1907-1938.
Author: Wykes, Roger Irving, 1875-1948.

Publications

Handbook. Michigan Constitutional Convention, 1907.
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1907-1908)
Published: [Lansing? 1907?] [Available online]

Journal of the Constitutional convention of the state of Michigan 1907-1908 ...
Author: Michigan. Constitutional convention (1907-1908)
Published: Lansing, Mich., Wynkoop Hallenbeck Crawford co., state printers, 1908. [Available online, volume 1] [Available online, volume 2]

Manual of the Constitutional convention of Michigan, 1907.
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1907-1908)
Published: Lansing : Wynkoop Hallenbeck Crawford co., state printers, [1909?] [Available online]

The Michigan constitutional convention,
Author: Fairlie, John A. (John Archibald), 1872-1947.
Published: [Ann Arbor?] 1908. [Available online]

Municipal ownership. Address of Mr. Edward A. Moffett, of New York City, before the Committee on Cities and Villages of the Michigan Constitutional Convention.
Author: Moffett, Edward A.
Published: Lansing, Mich., 1907. [Available online]

Proceedings and debates of the Constitutional convention of the state of Michigan, convened in the city of Lansing, Tuesday, October 22, 1907 ... Official report,
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1907-1908)
Published: Lansing, Mich., Wynkoop Hallenbeck Crawford Co., State Printers, 1907-[08]

A proposal to provide for the government of cities and villages (Proposal no. 182 covering Section 13 of article XV of the present constitution, File no. 215)
Author: Michigan. Constitutional convention (1907-1908)
Published: [Lansing? 1907?]

Report of the Committee on submission and address to the people, submitting the proposed revision of the present constitution of Michigan.
Author: Michigan. Constitutional convention (1907-1908)
Published: [Lansing? 1908] [Available online]

Report of the Committee on Submission and address to the people, submitting the proposed revision of the present constitution of Michigan. 1907.
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1907-1908)
Published: [Lansing? 1961?] [Available online, search only]

The revised constitution as reported by the committee on arrangement and phraseology.
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1907-1908).
Published: [Lansing? 1908?]
[Available online]

Constitutional Convention, 1961-1962

Papers of Delegates

Alvin M. Bentley papers, 1945-1969.
Author: Bentley, Alvin M. (Alvin Morell), 1918-1969.

Don Binkowski papers, 1958-1985.
Author: Binkowski, Don, 1929-

Roscoe O. Bonisteel papers, 1903-1972.
Author: Bonisteel, Roscoe O. (Roscoe Osmond), b. 1888.

D. Hale Brake papers, 1943-1977.
Author: Brake, D. Hale, 1891-

William Byrnes Cudlip papers, 1922-1985.
Author: Cudlip, William Byrnes, 1904-

William Byrnes Cudlip photograph series.
Author: Cudlip, William Byrnes, 1904-
Published: 1920s-1972.
Forms part of Cudlip, William Byrnes. Papers, 1922-1985.

Katherine M. Cushman papers, 1950-1970.
Author: Cushman, Katherine Moore.

Tom Downs papers, 1947-1965 and 1995.
Author: Downs, Tom, 1916-

Tom Downs visual materials series.
Author: Downs, Tom, 1916-
Published: 1961-1962 and 1995.
Forms part of Downs, Tom. Tom Downs papers, 1961-1962 and 1995.

Arthur G. Elliott papers, 1961-1962.
Author: Elliott, Arthur G., 1916-

Arthur G. Elliott photograph series.
Author: Elliott, Arthur G., 1916-
Published: 1962.
Forms part of Elliott, Arthur G. Papers, 1961-1962.

Charles L. Follo papers, 1961-1970.
Author: Follo, Charles L., 1905-

Paul G. Goebel papers, 1942-1964.
Author: Goebel, Paul Gordon, 1901-

Edward Hutchinson papers, 1959-1976.
Author: Hutchinson, J. Edward (Jesse Edward), 1914-

Dorothy Judd papers, 1935-1971.
Author: Judd, Dorothy.

Dorothy Judd photograph series.
Author: Judd, Dorothy.
Published: 1961-1962.
Forms part of Judd, Dorothy. Papers, 1935-1971.

Donald S. Leonard papers, 1925-1966.
Author: Leonard, Donald S. (Donald Sparling), 1903-1976.

John Butlin Martin papers, 1948-1965.
Author: Martin, John Butlin, 1909-

Frank G. Millard papers, 1904-1976.
Author: Millard, Frank G. (Frank Gurnee), 1897-1976.

Frank G. Millard photograph series.
Author: Millard, Frank G. (Frank Gurnee), 1897-1976.
Published: 1880s?-1970s.
Forms part of Millard, Frank G. Papers, 1904-1976.

Harold Norris papers, 1946-1971.
Author: Norris, Harold, 1918-

James Kerr Pollock papers, 1920-1968.
 Author: Pollock, James Kerr, 1898-

George W. Romney pre-gubernatorial subgroup, 1939-1962.
Author: Romney, George W., 1907-
Forms part of Romney, George W. George W. Romney papers, 1939-1973.

George W. Romney visual materials subgroup.
Author: Romney, George W., 1907-
Published: 1920s-1970 (bulk 1962-1968).
Forms part of Romney, George W. Papers, 1939-1973.

Richard C. Van Dusen papers, 1954-1972.
 Author: Van Dusen, Richard C. (Richard Campbell), 1925-

Records and Papers of Concerned Organizations and Individuals

American Civil Liberties Union of Washtenaw County records, 1961-2000.
Author: American Civil Liberties Union of Washtenaw County.

Lynn M. Bartlett papers, 1925-1970 (bulk 1955-1969).
Author: Bartlett, Lynn M. (Lynn Mahlon), 1904-1970.

Democratic Party of Michigan records, 1949-[ongoing].
Author: Democratic Party (Mich.)

Detroit News Lansing Bureau scrapbooks, 1931-1966.
Author: Detroit News. Lansing Bureau.

John W. Fitzgerald papers, 1952-1965.
Author: Fitzgerald, John Warner, 1924-

League of Women Voters of Allen Park records, 1955-1986.
Author: League of Women Voters of Allen Park.

League of Women Voters of Ann Arbor records, 1942-1993.
Author: League of Women Voters of the Ann Arbor Area.

League of Women Voters of Michigan records, 1924-1985.
 Author: League of Women Voters of Michigan.

Michigan Bell Telephone Company photograph collection.
 Author: Michigan Bell Telephone Company.
Published: 1949-1983.

John Burley Swainson papers, 1943-1975.
 Author: Swainson, John Burley, 1925-

School of Public Policy (University of Michigan) records, 1917 and 1934-1993.
Author: University of Michigan. School of Public Policy.

Andrew F. Wilson papers, 1954-1962.
Author: Wilson, Andrew F., 1918-

Andrew F. Wilson photograph series.
Author: Wilson, Andrew F., 1918-
Published: ca. 1960-1962.
Forms part of Wilson, Andrew F. Papers, 1954-1962.

Publications of the Convention

Action journal ...
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962). Committee on Administration.
Published: [Lansing, Mich.] 1961-62. [Available online, search only]

Action journal.
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962). Committee on Declaration of Rights, Suffrage and Elections.
Published: [Lansing, Mich.] 1961-62. [Available online, search only]

Action journal ...
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962). Committee on Education.
Published: [Lansing, Mich.] 1961-62. [Available online, search only]

Action journal ...
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962). Committee on Emerging Problems.
Published: [Lansing, Mich.] 1962. [Available online, search only]

Action journal ...
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962). Committee on Executive Branch.
Published: [Lansing, Mich.] 1961-62. [Available online, search only]

Action journal ...
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962). Committee on Finance and Taxation.
Published: [Lansing, Mich.] 1961-62. [Available online, search only]

Action journal ...
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962). Committee on Judicial Branch.
Published: [Lansing, Mich.] 1961-62.

Action journal ...
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962). Committee on Legislative Organization.
Published: [Lansing, Mich.] 1961-62. [Available online, search only]

Action journal ...
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962). Committee on Legislative Powers.
Published: [Lansing, Mich.] 1961-62. [Available online, search only]

Action journal ...
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962). Committee on Local Government.
Published: [Lansing, Mich.] 1961-62. [Available online, search only]

Action journal ...
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962). Committee on Miscellaneous Provisions and Schedules.
Published: [Lansing, Mich.] 1961-62. [Available online, search only]

Action journal ...
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962). Committee on Public Information.
Published: [Lansing, Mich.] 1961-62. [Available online, search only]

Action journal ...
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962). Committee on Rules and Resolutions.
Published: [Lansing, Mich.] 1961-62. [Available online, search only]

Action journal ...
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962). Committee on Style and Drafting.
Published: [Lansing, Mich.] 1961-62. [Available online, search only]

Action journal.
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962). Select Committee to Study a Mandamus Action Against the Secretary of State to Place the New Constitution on the November Ballot.
Published: [S.l. : The Committee?, 1962]

Committee proposals and second reading ...
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962).
Published: [Lansing, Mich.] 1961-62. [Available online, search only]

Delegate proposals.
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962)
Published: [Lansing, 1962] [Available online, search only, volume 3] [Available online, search only, volume 4]

Journal.
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962)
Published: Lansing. [Available online, search only, volume 1 (1-74)] [Available online, search only, volume 2 (75-122)]

Michigan constitutional convention handbook, 1961-1962.
Published: [Lansing, Mich. : The Convention], 1961.

Official record.
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962)
Published: [Lansing, 1964?] [Available online]

Proposals ...
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962). Committee on Legislative Powers.
Published: [Lansing, Mich.] 1961-62.

Status journal of committee and delegate proposals ...
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962)
Published: [Lansing, Mich.] 1961-62. [Available online, search only]

Subcommittee action journals ...
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962).
Published: [Lansing, Mich.] 1961-62. [Available online, search only]

What the proposed new state constitution means to you : a report to the people of Michigan by their elected delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1961-62. Proof copy.
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962)
Published: Lansing, Mich. : [Con-Con Office], 1962. [Available online]

What the proposed new state constitution means to you : a report to the people of Michigan by their elected delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1961-62.
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962)
Published: Lansing, Mich. : [Con-Con Office], 1962.
[Available online, search only]

Other publications

Citizens' Advisory Committee report /
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962). Citizens' Advisory Committee.
Published: [Lansing? : s.n.], 1961. [Available online, search only]

Citizens' Advisory Committee report: the Legislative Department. Prepared for the Governor, John B. Swainson, State of Michigan.
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention Citizens' Advisory Committee on Legislative Aspects of the Michigan Constitution.
Published: [Lansing] 1961. [Available online, search only]

Citizens' Advisory Committee report: local government. Prepared for the Governor, John B. Swainson, State of Michigan.
Author: Michigan. Constitutional convention Citizens' Advisory Committee on Local Government.
Published: [Lansing] 1961. [Available online, search only]

Citizens' Advisory Committee report: taxation and finance. Prepared for the Governor, John B. Swainson, State of Michigan.
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention Citizens' Advisory Committee on Taxation and Finance.
Published: [Lansing] 1961.

Citizens' Advisory Committee report: the Executive Department. Prepared for the Governor, John B. Swainson, State of Michigan.
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention Citizens' Advisory Committee on the Executive Department.
Published: [Lansing] 1961. [Available online, search only]

Citizens' Advisory Committee report : the Judicial Department /
Author: Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962). Citizens' Advisory Committee.
Published: [Lansing, Mich.] : The Committee, 1961. [Available online, search only]

Con-con bulletin.
Author: Michigan Municipal League.
Published: Ann Arbor, Michigan Municipal League, 1961-1962. [Available online, search only]

Con Con, Michigan's constitution : a look at the record, analysis and comparison.
Published: [Detroit, Mich.] : UAW Citizenship Dept., [1962] [Available online, search only]

Constitutional aspects of State financial administration /
Author: Bird, Frederick L. (Frederick Lucien), 1891-
Published: Detroit, Mich. : Citizens Research Council of Michigan, 1961. [Available online, search only]

Constitutional convention.
Published: [Lansing] Michigan State Chamber of Commerce, Sept. 1961. [Available online, search only]

Constitutional convention.
Published: Lansing, Mich. : Gongwer News Service, Inc., 1961-1962.

A constitutional convention report.
Author: League of Women Voters of Michigan.
Published: Detroit : The League, 1961-1962.

Constitutional earmarking of State tax revenues.
Published: Detroit, Mich. : Citizens Research Council of Michigan, 1962. [Available online, search only]

Council comments on Con-Con.
Author: Citizens Research Council of Michigan.
Published: Detroit.

Making Michigan's new Constitution, 1961-1962.
Author: Pollock, James Kerr, 1898-
Published: Ann Arbor, Michigan, G. Wahr. Pub. Co., 1962. [Available online, search only]

Michigan statutes annotated : containing the text of all general laws of a permanent character in force in Michigan down to June 22, 1935. Vol. 1, Preliminary chapters-constitutions /
Author: Michigan.
Published: [S.l. : s.n., 1961] [Available online, search only]

Michigan writes a new Constitution; proceedings of the 1961 MCEP faculty workshop.
Author: Feingold, Eugene N. ed.
Published: [Detroit] Michigan Center for Education in Politics, 1962. [Available online, search only]

Municipal and county home rule for Michigan /
Author: Bromage, Arthur W. (Arthur Watson) 1904-1979.
Published: Detroit, Mich. : Citizens Research Council of Michigan, 1961. [Available online, search only]

The old and new constitutions : a comparison and appraisal /
Author: Brake, D. Hale, 1891-
Published: Lansing, Mich. : Mich. State Assn. of Supervisors, 1962. [Available online, search only]

Proposed Constitution of the State of Michigan as finally adopted by the Convention August 1, 1962.
Author: Michigan.
Published: [Lansing? 1962?] [Available online, search only]

Recommendations for constitutional revision /
Author: Michigan Municipal League.
Published: Ann Arbor, Mich. : The League, 1961. [Available online, search only, number 1] [Available online, search only, number 2] [Available online, search only, number 3] [Available online, search only, number 4] [Available online, search only, number 5]

Recommendations for constitutional revision : a report of Michigan Municipal League Con-Con committees.
Author: Michigan Municipal League.
Published: Ann Arbor, Mich. : The League, [1961] [Available online, search only]

The state constitution : its nature and purpose /
Author: Kauper, Paul G.
Published: Detroit, Mich. : Citizens Research Council of Michigan, 1961.

A Statement of policy and recommendations to the Michigan Constitutional Convention of 1961.
Published: Lansing, Mich. : Michigan Townships Association, [1961] [Available online, search only]

Support a platform for constitutional revisions which will provide a basic framework for state government free of statutory detail : 1961-63 state item I resource kit, volume I.
Published: Detroit, Mich. : League of Women Voters of Michigan , 1961.
[Available online]