A state elections board is going to work on new rules to govern petition drives that want to get issues before the Legislature or on an election ballot. As we hear from Rick Pluta, the board’s job is complicated by legal challenges.
The Michigan Board of State Canvassers faces a complicated situation. Last year, Republicans in the Legislature adopted a law to make it harder for petition drives to succeed. Earlier this year, Democratic Attorney General Dana Nesselissued a formal opinion. It strikes down much of what Republicans enacted. Republicans are now challenging that opinion in court.
“And we’ll see what happens…”
Julie Matuzak is a Democrat on the board.
“We’re all sort of working this out as we go.”
Matuzak and other board members say petition drive organizers deserve to know the rules before they start gathering signatures. There are already at least two anti-abortion drives ramping up to start collecting names.
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— Rick Pluta is the Managing Editor and Reporter for the Michigan Public Radio network. Contact WEMU News at734.487.3363 or email us at studio@wemu.org
