Unlock Michigan was a right-of-center ballot initiative coalition opposed to the COVID-19 lockdown and mandate policies of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D). In 2020, the group collected more than 539,000 signatures in support of an initiated law to repeal the 1945 Emergency Powers of Governor Act (EPGA), the legal basis of Whitmer’s restrictions. ¹ Both chambers of the Michigan Legislature voted in favor of the petition, repealing the EPGA. ² Later in 2021, the group launched a second petition, “Unlock Michigan 2.0,” proposing a 28-day limit on emergency epidemic orders. ³ This second petition failed to gather sufficient signatures by the legal deadline, and the group withdrew the initiative. ⁴

The group began winding down operations in 2022. ⁵ However, in 2024, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) brought charges against two political consultants in relation to fundraising for the group. ⁶

Ballot Initiatives

Unlock Michigan was founded in 2020 in opposition to the COVID-19 restrictions enacted in Michigan by Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D). In 2020, the group collected more than 539,000 signatures in support of a citizen-initiated law to repeal the 1945 Emergency Powers of Governor Act (EPGA), the legal basis of Whitmer’s restrictions. Later that year, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled the law unconstitutional, but Unlock Michigan continued to push for its repeal to be enshrined into law. ⁷

In 2021, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that the Michigan Board of State Canvassers must certify the group’s signatures, and the petition was approved by the Michigan Senate. The pro-Whitmer group Keep Michigan Safe attempted to block the petition. ⁸ On July 21 of that year, the Michigan House of Representatives approved the initiative, repealing the EPGA. ⁹

Later that year, the group launched a second petition, “Unlock Michigan 2.0,” proposing changes to sections 2253 and 2453 of the Public Health Code, Public Act 368 of 1978, including adding language that says statewide emergency epidemic orders can only last for 28 days from when they are issued. The state health director would also be prohibited from issuing a consecutive emergency epidemic order to begin once the first one has been rescinded. ¹⁰ This petition failed to gather sufficient signatures by the legal deadline, and the group withdrew the initiative. ¹¹

The group began winding down operations in 2022. ¹²

Funding and Prosecutions

Unlock Michigan received over $2 million in funding from two groups connected to former state Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R), MI Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility and Michigan! My Michigan! In 2024, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) brought charges against political consultants Heather Lombardini and Sandra Baxter for their fundraising activities for Unlock Michigan, alleging that the two raised money through MI Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility and Michigan! My Michigan! to allow Unlock Michigan to hide its donor lists. During the proceedings, Nessel accused Shirkey of being aware of these activities. ¹³

The group also received funding from Michigan Energy First. ¹⁴

1. Laina G. Stebbins. “Unlock Michigan campaign forges on, even after Supreme Court ruling.” Michigan Advance. October 5, 2020. Accessed July 12, 2024. https://michiganadvance.com/2020/10/05/unlock-michigan-campaign-forges-on-even-after-supreme-court-ruling/.
2. “Rep. Bollin, Michigan House approve Unlock Michigan initiative.” Michigan House Republicans. July 21, 2021. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://gophouse.org/posts/rep-bollin-michigan-house-approve-unlock-michigan-initiative.
3. Cassidy Johncox. “Deep Dive: What to know about ‘Unlock Michigan’ petition drive.” Click On Detroit. November 10, 2021. Accessed July 12, 2024. https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/michigan/2021/11/10/deep-dive-what-to-know-about-unlock-michigan-petition-drive/.
4. Zahra Ahmad. “Unlock Michigan 2 effort to curb public health orders won’t make ballot.” Bridge Michigan. May 31, 2022. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/unlock-michigan-2-effort-curb-public-health-orders-wont-make-ballot.
5. “Unlock Michigan.” CauseIQ. Accessed July 12, 2024. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/unlock-michigan,851327904/.
6. Colin Jackson. “Nessel charges consultants in Unlock Michigan case.” Michigan Public. February 21, 2024. Accessed July 12, 2024. https://www.michiganpublic.org/criminal-justice-legal-system/2024-02-21/nessel-charges-consultants-in-unlock-michigan-case.
7. Laina G. Stebbins. “Unlock Michigan campaign forges on, even after Supreme Court ruling.” Michigan Advance. October 5, 2020. Accessed July 12, 2024. https://michiganadvance.com/2020/10/05/unlock-michigan-campaign-forges-on-even-after-supreme-court-ruling/.
8. Ken Coleman. “Michigan Senate quickly OKs anti-Whitmer petition.” Michigan Advance. July 15, 2021. Accessed July 12, 2024. https://michiganadvance.com/2021/07/15/michigan-senate-quickly-oks-anti-whitmer-petition/.
9. “Rep. Bollin, Michigan House approve Unlock Michigan initiative.” Michigan House Republicans. July 21, 2021. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://gophouse.org/posts/rep-bollin-michigan-house-approve-unlock-michigan-initiative.
10. Cassidy Johncox. “Deep Dive: What to know about ‘Unlock Michigan’ petition drive.” Click On Detroit. November 10, 2021. Accessed July 12, 2024. https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/michigan/2021/11/10/deep-dive-what-to-know-about-unlock-michigan-petition-drive/.
11. Zahra Ahmad. “Unlock Michigan 2 effort to curb public health orders won’t make ballot.” Bridge Michigan. May 31, 2022. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/unlock-michigan-2-effort-curb-public-health-orders-wont-make-ballot.
12. “Unlock Michigan.” CauseIQ. Accessed July 12, 2024. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/unlock-michigan,851327904/.
13.  Colin Jackson. “Nessel charges consultants in Unlock Michigan case.” Michigan Public. February 21, 2024. Accessed July 12, 2024. https://www.michiganpublic.org/criminal-justice-legal-system/2024-02-21/nessel-charges-consultants-in-unlock-michigan-case.
14. Tom Perkins. “Group aiming to sabotage Whitmer’s Covid policies funded by dark money.” The Guardian. January 10, 2023. Accessed July 12, 2024. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jan/10/gretchen-whitmer-michigan-covid-policies-dark-money.