Poll: Voters split on Props 1, 2, 6

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - There are six proposals on the statewide November ballot, and a new EPIC-MRA poll shows most have the support of voters, while one does not.

Five of the six proposals would amend the Michigan Constitution.

The only one that would not amend the Constitution involves the Emergency Financial Manager. Proposal 1 is a referendum on the current law that authorizes the governor to appoint an Emergency Manager when the financial conditions of a local government or school district are in dire shape. The current law then allows that Emergency Manager to act in place of local government officials.

If the election were held now, only 42% of respondents would vote yes to continue this law, with 46% rejecting this law. The poll finds a partisan split among voters - 30% of Democrats would vote yes with 59% of Republicans supporting it.

Proposal 2 is “a proposal to amend the state constitution regarding collective bargaining.” The poll explained the amendment would "Grant public and private employees the constitutional right to organize and bargain collectively through labor unions. It would invalidate existing or future state or local laws to limit the ability to join unions and bargain collectively, and to negotiate and enforce collective bargaining agreements, including employees’ financial support of their labor unions. Laws may be enacted to prohibit public employees from striking. It would override state laws that regulate hours and conditions of employment to the extent that those laws conflict with collective bargaining agreements. It would define “employer” as a person or entity employing one or more employees."

Of those responding, 48% would vote yes and 43% would vote no. Again, a partisan split is apparent in the results, with 66% of Democrats favoring this plan and 28% of Republicans supporting it.

Proposal 6 is another constitutional amendment. It would amend the Michigan constitution to require the approval of a majority of voters at a statewide election, and in each municipality where “new international bridges or tunnels for motor vehicles” are to be located, before the State of Michigan may expend state funds or resources for acquiring land, designing, soliciting bids for, constructing, financing, or promoting new international bridges or tunnels.

The poll found 47% in favor of this constitutional amendment, with 44% opposed. The partisan split is not as apparent on this question, with 49% of Democrats and 41% of Republicans supporting it.

In June, officials from the Canada and US governments announced plans to build a new Canadian-financed bridge linking Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.

Michigan won't be obligated to pay any of the costs of the bridge, which will span the Detroit River south of the existing Ambassador Bridge. Both countries would be represented on a bridge board, and a Canadian entity would handle design, construction and operation of the bridge.

Earlier in the week, another EPIC-MRA poll showed broad support for the other three proposals on the ballot, all constitutional amendments. They deal with renewable energy, home care workers, and a requirement of two-thirds of the Michigan legislature to raise taxes.

This poll was conducted on behalf of WOOD TV8 and our media partners. It surveyed 600 voters between September 8-11 and has a margin of error of 4%.