Case Study
Running a ballot initiative: our work with Citizens for Local Choice.
At the beginning of 2024, MRG welcomed a new client, Citizens for Local Choice. This bipartisan group of Michigan residents is dedicated to restoring local control of zoning regulations by securing enough signatures to place their initiative on the November 2024 ballot. Their goal is to amend the Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act, specifically repealing Part 8 of Public Act 233 of 2023, which removed local control over large-scale utility land-use projects.
Citizens for Local Choice believe that local residents possess greater insight into their communities than bureaucrats in Lansing. The group’s broad base of bipartisan support includes farmers, environmentalists, township officials, and everyday Michiganders. Recent polling indicates overwhelming support for local control, with 85% of Democrats, 91% of Republicans, and 84% of Independents backing local permitting authority for utility-scale renewable energy projects.
To achieve their goals, MRG took on the role of campaign headquarters, where petitions could be picked up and dropped off. We managed the grassroots campaign, coordinating a network of over 1,000 petition circulators across the state. MRG also handled email communications, graphic design, social media content, and press releases to spread the word. Support for the campaign has grown, with endorsements and active participation from organizations like the Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Townships Association, and Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan, as well as numerous elected officials and community members.
The campaign has gained significant traction, attracting widespread support across Michigan. With a robust network of volunteers and endorsements from key organizations, Citizens for Local Choice is well on its way to achieving the necessary signatures to secure their place on the November 2024 ballot. The initiative has sparked statewide conversations, with op-eds, endorsements, and town hall meetings highlighting the importance of local control in utility-scale renewable energy projects.