The state Supreme Court heard oral arguments today on November’s gerrymandering ballot proposal.
The measure is being challenged by Citizens Protecting Michigan’s Constitution, a group largely backed by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. They say the proposed changes are too sweeping to be decided by a referendum.
Michigan Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rich Studley said the proposal is anything but straightforward.
“It would be one of the longest and most-complicated amendments to the state constitution in modern history, at least dating back to the 1963 constitution.”
Katie Fahey (fay-he) is the Executive Director of Voters Not Politicians, the group behind the ballot measure. She said she’s confident the initiative will be upheld by the court.
“We’re trusting the justices to really review this and we had a very strong ruling from the Court of Appeals. They actually heard this first and unanimously found that our opposition’s arguments are without merit, and that we have met the qualifications for the ballot.”
The court is working to decide the case before its July 31st recess.