Only one question is certain to appear on the state ballot within the next two elections: Should Michigan convene a Constitutional Convention?

That question will be the focus of a debate at the Spring 2007 Central Michigan University Griffin Forum April 11.

Held at the Park Library Auditorium at 7:30 p.m., the forum will bring together four experts to debate the question and answer audience questions. A reception will be held at 6 p.m. in the library's Baber Room.

"It's locked into the state constitution that we have a vote every 16 years on whether to convene a constitutional convention," said Bill Ballenger, CMU's Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government and editor and publisher of "Inside Michigan Politics." "The question is has enough happened that we need a new convention. Is it cluttered up with amendments, archaic laws or stuff we don't need? Should we go through the huge job of convening a constitutional convention, electing and seating delegates, debating and voting on it and then lose. Should we go through all that for naught?

Michigan voted on the question in 1978 and 1994, both times defeating the measure by huge margins, Ballenger said. By law voters will have to vote on the issue no later than the 2010 November general election.

"This will be the third vote we've had on this under the present constitution," Ballenger said. "The last two times it got creamed. Between 70 percent and 75 percent of voters voted against having another convention."

Ballenger will moderate the forum and topics will include whether Michigan needs a new constitutional convention before 2010; our current state constitution and whether it is outdated and has become bogged down with amendments; the length of our state constitution compared to the U.S. Constitution; whether the constitution should contain language relating to issues such as affirmative action, gay marriage and abortion; and the ease with which our state constitution can be amended.

Panelists will include:

- John Axe, attorney and chairman of Citizens for Michigan, which conducted a four-year study of the issue that came out in December.

- Emily Broderick, CMU graduate and University of Michigan law school student, who will help offer a more youthful perspective to the question.

-Tony Derezinski, former state senator (D-Muskegon) and director of government relations for the Michigan Association of School Boards, and who has taught courses on the state Constitution.

- Bob LaBrant, senior vice president for political affairs and general counsel for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, who helped oppose the last two proposals for a new convention.

"When it comes to a good cross section of experts with knowledge and opinions on whether we need a new constitution, this spring's Griffin Forum should be as good as it gets," Ballenger said. "This is as good a group of experts as you are going to find anywhere."

The forum will include plenty of time for audience members to ask questions and will be broadcast on statewide television, Ballenger said.

The Griffin Policy Forums are hosted twice a year by the Robert and Marjorie Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government, the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences, and the political science department at CMU. The forums are intended to raise political awareness and participation among students, faculty and community members, along with preparing political leaders for Michigan's future.