Proposal B would amend Article 6, Section 19 of the State Constitution of 1960 (which specifies the qualifications to serve as a judge in Michigan) to require that attorneys be admitted to the practice of law for at least five years before being elected or appointed as a judge. The requirement would not affect a person elected or appointed as a judge before the proposed amendment became part of the Constitution.
The State Constitution requires that justices and judges of Michigan courts of record be licensed to practice law in Michigan, but includes no requirement of length of experience as an attorney. If approved by the electorate, Proposal B will amend the State Constitution to provide that, to be qualified to serve as a judge of a trial court, a judge of the Court of Appeals, or a justice of the Supreme Court, a person must have been admitted to the practice of law for at least five years.
Proposal B was placed on the ballot by Senate Joint Resolution D, approved by the Legislature in March 1995. If a majority of the voters cast "yes" votes on Proposal B, the Constitution will be amended.
Source for Popular Vote data: Michigan Department of State. Bureau of Elections. Election Results General Election November 5, 1996, Michigan Department of State. Bureau of Elections (http://www.michigan.gov/documents/1996_General_Election_Results_for_November_5,_1996_20871_7.pdf) (accessed 24 Mar 2014)