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Attorney General Will Appeal Racial Preferences Case
Attorney General Press Release
March 30,
2004
LANSING – Citing the need to remain consistent with established Michigan
law, Attorney General Mike Cox announced today that his office will appeal an
Ingham Circuit Court ruling last week that would invalidate ballot proposal
petitions of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI).
“This appeal
is not about the substance of the petition drive; it’s about the process for
petitioning. The language of the petitions in question clearly meets the test
established by Michigan’s courts,” Cox said. “As a matter of law, the language
of the MCRI petition does not add to, delete from, or change the existing
wording of any section of our constitution.”
Attorney
General Cox emphasized this appeal is not about the substance of MCRI’s petition
drive; this appeal is about whether the State Board of Canvassers was correct in
approving the form of the petition.
“The lower
court’s standard for amending the constitution creates too onerous a burden on
those who choose to engage in democratic debate,” stated Cox. “If allowed to
stand, the lower court’s decision will impair the rights of the People to
petition.”
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For further
information contact: Matt Davis
517-373-0481 (Office)
State of Michigan, Department of Attorney General
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