Initiative aims to ban companies with large state contracts from making political contributions
LANSING, MI —A new poll of Michigan voters found that more than 80 percent support Michiganders for Money Out of Politics (MMOP), a ballot initiative that would ban some of the biggest corporate donors to state lawmakers, including DTE Energy, Consumers Energy, and Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan, from making direct campaign contributions.
If passed, the ballot initiative would prevent DTE, Consumers and other large state contractors from swaying lawmakers with millions in political contributions, the current status quo.
“At a time when our bills are already too damn high, this poll confirms what the broad coalition backing MMOP already knew – that Michiganders are tired of the undue influence the state’s monopoly corporations hold over Lansing lawmakers,” said Ken Whittaker, Executive Director of Michigan United Action. “It’s time for lawmakers to prioritize the people they represent, not corporate profits.”
The poll of nearly 800 Michigan voters in November, found 81 percent of respondents support the initiative, with 64 percent of respondents strongly supporting it and 17 percent saying they somewhat support it. The poll was conducted by Public Policy Polling, a private advocacy polling firm, and has a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percent.
Michiganders for Money Out of Politics is a grassroots campaign launched earlier this year that is working to get big money out of politics and elections. MMOP plans to stop corporations from buying off our democracy through a citizen-led, nonpartisan ballot initiative.
The campaign is currently engaging Michiganders across the state to collect signatures to put a proposal on the 2026 ballot for voters to weigh in on.
That proposal will:
- Ban regulated utilities from contributing to state officeholders and political party committees
- Ban corporations with state or local government contracts (of more than $250,000 annually) from contributing to candidates for state or local offices in the jurisdiction of the contract
- Close the “issue ad loophole” by mandating disclosure of ad spending
- Modernize Michigan’s campaign finance disclosure requirements
Fifteen states across the country and the Securities Exchange Commission have passed similar prohibitions on political spending from corporations that hold or are seeking a contract with the state – it’s time for Michigan to do the same.
“This polling clearly shows that there is common ground in our divided country – the vast majority of voters want money out of politics, and they are sick of excuses from politicians explaining why we have to prop up our corrupt political system,” said Christy McGillivray, Executive Director of Voters Not Politicians. “Supporting this initiative by getting signatures shows a commitment to a free and fair future where our state government prioritizes voters instead of billionaire donors.”
“Michigan’s government should work for the people, not powerful corporations. But utilities and big government contractors have used political contributions to drown out the voices of everyday Michiganders,” said Sean McBrearty, Michigan State Director of Clean Water Action. “Making matters worse, our broken campaign finance system even allows them to run campaign ads through dark money groups that hide their funders from the public. It’s time to end this broken system, and this poll shows the people of Michigan overwhelmingly agree. I urge anyone facing skyrocketing energy costs to help us gather enough signatures to get this initiative on the ballot”
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About Michiganders for Money Out of Politics
Michiganders for Money Out of Politics (MMOP) is a grassroots campaign working toward a statewide ballot initiative to ban political contributions from regulated monopoly corporations and major state contractors. The MMOP coalition includes Clean Water Action, Climate Cabinet, Detroit Action, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Michigan United Action, MOSES Action, and Voters Not Politicians. Learn more at mopupmichigan.org.
About Clean Water Action
Clean Water Action is a national 501(c)(4) environmental organization with nearly one million members nationwide. Since our founding during the campaign to pass the landmark Clean Water Act in 1972, Clean Water Action has worked to win strong health and environmental protections by bringing issue expertise, solution-oriented thinking and people power to the table. Learn more at cleanwater.org.