LANSING, MI (MPRN)-- A legal opinion from state Attorney General Dana Nessel throws into doubt the future of a law adopted last year.
The law makes it harder for petition campaigns to put political questions directly to voters. It was adopted by Republicans in the Legislature before it was signed by then-Governor Rick Snyder.
The opinion from Nessel – a Democrat – says the law violates free speech rights and sets conditions on ballot campaigns that are not allowed by the state constitution.
One of the restrictions requires petition campaigns to gather no more than 15 percent of signatures from any one congressional district. Nessel says that makes it too difficult for people to exercise their rights.
Michigan allows voters to use petition drives to challenge laws, to adopt laws, and to amend the state constitution.
Republican leaders haven’t revealed their next move, but a legal battle is likely.