Michigan Proposal A, Returnable Beverage Containers Initiative (1976)

Michigan Proposal A

Election date

November 2, 1976

Topic
Administration of government and Food and agriculture
Status

Approved

Type
Indirect initiated state statute | Origin

Citizens

* * *

Michigan Proposal A was on the ballot as an indirect initiated state statute in Michigan on November 2, 1976. It was approved.

A “yes” vote supported requiring the use of returnable beverage containers and establishing a deposit and repayment of deposit system for such containers.

A “no” vote opposed requiring the use of returnable beverage containers and establishing a deposit and repayment of deposit system for such containers.

## Contents

* 1 Election results
* 2 Path to the ballot
* 3 External links
* 4 Footnotes

## Election results[edit]

Michigan Proposal A

Result | Votes | Percentage

Yes

| 2,160,398 | 63.77%
No | 1,227,254 | 36.23%

Results are officially certified.
Source

## Text of measure

### Ballot title

The ballot title for Proposal A was as follows:

PROPOSAL A

PROPOSED LAW TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF NON-RETURNABLE BOTTLES AND CANS FOR SOFT DRINKS AND BEER; TO REQUIRE REFUNDABLE CASH DEPOSITS FOR SOFT DRINK AND BEER CONTAINERS; AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLA-TION OF THE LAW.

THE PROPOSED LAW WOULD:

(a) Prohibit the use of non-returnable bottles and cans for the sale of soft drinks and beer for off-premises consumption;

(b) Set up a requirement for cash deposits and repayment of deposits for soft drink and beer containers;

(c) Prohibit the use of metal soft drink and beer containers with detachable openers;

(d) Establish fines for violation of the law by dealers, distributors and manufacturers.

Should this proposed law be approved?

YES

| ”

|
|

### Full Text

The full text of this measure is available here.

## Path to the ballot[edit]

See also: Signature requirements for ballot measures in Michigan

An indirect initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are nine (9) states that allow citizens to initiate indirect state statutes.

While a direct initiative is placed on the ballot once supporters file the required number of valid signatures, an indirect initiative is first presented to the state legislature. Legislators have a certain number of days, depending on the state, to adopt the initiative into law. Should legislators take no action or reject the initiative, the initiative is put on the ballot for voters to decide.

In Michigan, the number of signatures required for an indirect initiated state statute is equal to 8% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. As an indirect process, the Legislature has 40 days to adopt the initiative after signatures are certified. Otherwise, a simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

## See also

1976 Measures

* 1976 Measures
* Administration of government on the ballot
* Food and agriculture on the ballot
* 1976 legislative sessions

Michigan

* Michigan ballot measures
* Michigan ballot measure laws

News and analysis

* Ballot measure lawsuits
* Ballot measure readability
* Ballot measure polls

## External links[edit]

* Michigan Department of State, "Initiatives and Referendums Under the Constitution of the State of Michigan of 1963," December 5, 2008

## Footnotes[edit]

v • e

1978 ballot measures

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v • e

State of Michigan
Lansing (capital)

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