# Michigan Midterms Challenge Corporate Donations

> Michigan voters could block utility and contractor donations to politicians in November midterms.
- Title: Michigan Midterms Challenge Corporate Donations · Newsweek
- Summary: Michigan voters could block utility and contractor donations to politicians in November midterms. Michigan voters may block utility and contractor political…
- Keywords: michigan, proposal 2, political donations, utility companies, government contractors, michiganders for money out of politics, dte energy, consumers energy, political action committees, campaign finance, Midterms, Challenge
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/how-midterms-could-upend-michigans-political-donations-12594779
- Published: 2026-10-21T18:51:16+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: michigan, proposal 2, political donations, utility companies, government contractors, michiganders for money out of politics, dte energy, consumers energy, political action committees, campaign finance
## Proposal 2 Overview
Michigan voters decide in November midterms whether to block utility and government contractor political donations.
## Proposal 2 Restrictions
Proposal 2 would restrict direct and indirect campaign contributions from regulated utilities, contractors earning over $250,000 annually, and those with substantial connections to them.
## Proposal 2 Scope
The ban applies to contributions made to candidates or officials holding offices that affect the utilities or contractors.
## Proposal 2 Expansion
Proposal 2 expands campaign finance laws to require disclosure of donor information for political communications, including internet political communications.
## Proposal 2 Supporters
Over half a million Michiganders signed a petition to put Proposal 2 on the ballot to end the corrupt pay-to-play system.

> It’s past time we end the corrupt pay-to-play system that dominates our state politics and make sure it’s our voices that are heard, not the voices of big corporations bankrolling our politicians.
## Proposal 2 Opponents
Protect MI Free Speech claims Proposal 2 bans everyday Michigan residents from supporting candidates due to family or contractual relationships.
## Utility PAC Spending
DTE and Consumers Energy PACs spent less in Q2 2026 than in previous midterm cycles.
## DTE PAC Spending
DTE’s PAC spent nearly $154,000 in Q2 2026, down from $204,000 in Q2 2022.
## Utility PAC Criticism
DTE and Consumers Energy face criticism for over $250,000 in contributions to legislators on energy policy committees.
## Key takeaway

Michigan voters may block utility and contractor political donations in November midterms to reduce corporate influence.