Supplying energy to over 80% of Michigan residents, utility companies DTE and Consumers Energy provide the majority of electricity in the state.

However, a recent report from the Citizens Utility Board of Michigan said the state’s utilities rank near the bottom of a national list for reliability and environmental impact.

Utility companies have a history of using “dark money” to influence Michigan elections, including in 2018, when Consumers Energy was questioned by the Detroit News for using its nonprofit affiliate to help defeat Rep. Gary Glenn, a Midland Republican who vocally criticized the state utilities.

Dark money refers to political spending in elections meant to influence the decision of the voter and which is not disclosed to the public, according to the Campaign Legal Center.

Now, organizations such as Voters Not Politicians, Michiganders for Money Out of Politics and Show Michigan the Money are attempting to advance ballot initiatives aimed at stopping utility companies from contributing to politicians who run for or hold offices that impact them.

Michigan law currently allows candidates to accept donations from corporations as long as the money is not coming from ratepayers.

However, to get around this restriction, some companies, including utilities, form employee political action committees (PACs).

According to the Federal Election Commission, PACs are composed of individuals or shareholders associated with the companies. They can contribute large amounts at the state level, which may have a significant influence on political campaigns

A coalition of grassroots organizations wants to outlaw the practice with statewide ballot initiatives.

One proposal titled “Mop Up Michigan” would ban political donations from regulated utilities and companies with over $250,000 a year in government contracts. It would also amend the state’s campaign finance law so that political ads would be required to disclose donor information.

Christy McGillivray, the executive director of Voters Not Politicians, said that without such regulations, the majority of politicians from both major parties won’t willingly stop taking corporate money.

“This is a bipartisan problem and it has a nonpartisan solution,” said McGillivray. “Anyone concerned about democracy and corruption and who wants to fight for state governments that actually represent our well-being instead of corporate donors, should care about this,” she said.

The initiative is on track to collect over 500,000 signatures to get on the November 2026 ballot, said McGillivray.