November 5, 1850

Voters approve Michigan’s second constitution.

In 1849, Michiganders overwhelmingly approved the calling of a convention to adopt the state’s fourteen-year-old state constitution. During the summer of 1850, one hundred delegates—only one of who was a native Michigander—gathered in Lansing to frame a new document that was accepted by a large majority of voters. The new constitution was twice as long as the first constitution. It placed new restrictions on the state legislature, making many statewide offices elective rather than appointive. In the process, it weakened the governor’s office.

Thank you Michigan Start Pages for this glimpse into our past.  See more here.