Current:Home > InvestThe Michigan supreme court set to decide whether voters see abortion on the ballot -BeyondProfit Compass
The Michigan supreme court set to decide whether voters see abortion on the ballot
View
Date:2025-04-12 20:12:52
LANSING, Mich. – A proposed state constitutional amendment that could protect abortion rights in Michigan has hit another roadblock on its path to November's ballot. Wednesday, a four-person board deadlocked along partisan lines on whether to send the amendment along to voters this fall.
Abortion rights supporters are expected to appeal the decision straight to the state's supreme court, but time is ticking. Any language that is slated to appear on the ballot would have to be sent to the printer by Sept. 9.
"Certainly that will be the next step, asking the Supreme Court to have the board do its job, essentially, and put this on the ballot because we have complied with the requirements," says Darci McConnell of the group Reproductive Freedom for All.
McConnell says the campaign turned in far more signatures than are required to get on the ballot. In fact, the petition broke a record in the state when more than 700,000 voters signed on.
For Michiganders who support abortion rights, the possibility of an amendment to protect abortion is important. The state has a nearly 100-year-old law that makes abortion illegal except in cases where the pregnant person's life is at risk. For now, that law is held up in litigation and is not being enforced.
Alleged typos
But Republicans said the petitions that were circulated had typos and words that were pushed too close together to be easily understood. The proposed amendment has faced scrutiny over alleged typos in its petition language for weeks.
"Call these typos, errors, mistakes, or whatever," says Eric Doster, the attorney for Citizens to Support MI Women and Children. "This gibberish now before this board does not satisfy the full test requirement under law and this board has never approved, never approved a petition with these types of typos and errors."
The version of the petition available online at the Board of State Canvassers' website appears to show the typos, such as: "DECISIONSABOUTALLMATTERSRELATINGTOPREGNANCY."
An appeal
Reproductive Freedom for All, the group behind the proposed amendment, can appeal the Wednesday decision straight to the Michigan Supreme Court where Democrats have a narrow majority.
If approved by the justices, Michigan will join other states such as California and Vermont where voters will see similar state constitutional abortion rights amendments on their ballots this November.
After voters in Kansas decided to reject a constitutional amendment that would have restricted abortion rights, Democrats across the country have renewed enthusiasm to push for abortion rights.
How an amendment could affect the rest of Nov.'s ballot
Democrats, including Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, are pushing hard for an amendment in part because of how much is at stake in November. Whitmer is running for reelection against abortion rights opponent Republican Tudor Dixon, who is endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Dixon made headlines this summer after responding to a question about the hypothetical rape of a 14-year-old by a family member being a "perfect example" of why abortion should be banned.
An amendment to protect abortion rights could propel abortion rights supporters to the polls and help push Democrats to victory up and down the ballot.
veryGood! (414)
Related
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- Zendaya’s Fashion Emergency Has Stylist Law Roach Springing Into Action
- Annual Report Card Marks Another Disastrous Year for the Arctic
- Get $95 Worth of Peter Thomas Roth Skincare Masks for 50% Off
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Why Grayson Chrisley Says Parents Todd and Julie's Time in Prison Is Worse Than Them Dying
- How Britney Spears and Sam Asghari Are Celebrating Their Wedding Anniversary
- Firework injuries send people to hospitals across U.S. as authorities issue warnings
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- Ariana Madix Reveals Where She Stands on Marriage After Tom Sandoval Affair
Ranking
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- Trees Fell Faster in the Years Since Companies and Governments Promised to Stop Cutting Them Down
- These Cities Want to Ban Natural Gas. But Would It Be Legal?
- China Ramps Up Coal Power Again, Despite Pressure to Cut Emissions
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- Why Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger’s Wedding Anniversary Was Also a Parenting Milestone
- Despite soaring prices, flexible travelers can find budget-friendly ways to enjoy summer getaways
- Game-Winning Father's Day Gift Ideas for the Sports Fan Dad
Recommendation
John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
In a Warming World, Hurricanes Weaken More Slowly After They Hit Land
Get $95 Worth of Peter Thomas Roth Skincare Masks for 50% Off
Coal Train Protesters Target One of New England’s Last Big Coal Power Plants
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
Get $95 Worth of Peter Thomas Roth Skincare Masks for 50% Off
YouTuber Grace Helbig reveals breast cancer diagnosis: It's very surreal
UPS workers edge closer to strike as union negotiations stall