FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 27, 2026 

Contact: Feldman Strategies, team@feldmanstrategies.com 

Michiganders for Money Out of Politics Campaign Turns in 562,068 Signatures to MI Bureau of Elections, Initiative On its Way to the Ballot 

The Michiganders For Money Out Of Politics Initiative Would Ban State Political Contributions from Utilities & Corporations & Expose Dark Money

LANSING, MI – Today, May 27th, the Michiganders for Money Out of Politics Campaign turned in 562,068 signatures to the Michigan Bureau of Elections in Lansing. The initiative was required to submit at least 356,958 valid voter signatures by today to qualify for the November 2026 ballot. 

“Today, hundreds of thousands of Michiganders across our state made their voices heard and said enough is enough to corporate greed and dark money invading our politics. We fought for our democracy, by doing Democracy,” said MMOP Co-Chair and Voters Not Politicians Executive Director Christy McGillivray. “Now, Lansing politicians must get out of the way – they can’t be trusted to fix the political corruption they benefit from. Our people-powered movement is just getting started – we’re fired up and ready to take back control of our government. ”

“Everyone can agree that we need clean water and air, affordable energy, and good-paying jobs – these goals aren’t mutually exclusive. Yet, they’ve been kept out of reach by corporate domination of our politics on both sides of the aisle,” said MMOP Co-Chair and Activist Sean McBrearty. Working families too often pay the price while unchecked, powerful corporations and utility giants raise rates to pad their bottom line. It’s past time to hold them and our legislators accountable.” 

“Michiganders are sick and tired of their voices being drowned out by whichever corporation or wealthy special interest can write the biggest check,” said MMOP Secretary and Executive Director of Michigan United Action Ken Whittaker. “That’s why today, Michiganders for Money Out of Politics submitted hundreds of thousands of voter signatures from across the state to put power back where it belongs – in the hands of the people.” 

For nearly a year, the Michiganders for Money Out of Politics campaign has collected hundreds of thousands of signatures for a citizen-led ballot initiative that would ban political contributions from regulated monopoly utilities, such as DTE and Consumers Energy, as well as corporations that seek or hold large state and local government contracts like Blue Cross Blue Shield. The initiative would also close the dark money “issue ad loophole” and modernize Michigan’s campaign finance disclosure requirements. This all comes as consumers face skyrocketing rate hikes for residential gas and electricity and shrinking accountability.

Earlier today, before submitting signatures to the Board of Elections, the MMOP steering committee held a press conference to emphasize the urgent need for this ballot measure and how the “Mop Up Michigan” initiative would help ensure Michigan’s government works for the people, not powerful corporations. 

View the video recording of the press conference HERE and a full press kit with b-roll footage and photos is HERE. 

The grassroots campaign is powered by hundreds of volunteers across the state and a broad coalition of elected officials, labor unions, environmental organizations, pro-democracy organizations, and community organizations. 

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