Posted on December 21, 2005

Court Orders Anti-Affirmative Action Proposal on Ballot

Tim Martin, AP, Dec. 20, 2005

LANSING (AP) — The Michigan Court of Appeals on Tuesday ordered the secretary of state to place a proposal that would ban some affirmative action programs on the November 2006 ballot.

The appeals court issued the order because it said the Board of State Canvassers failed to follow a previous court mandate. The four-member elections panel deadlocked on a motion to comply with the court order last week.

Tuesday’s ruling is a victory for the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, which backs the proposal to ban race and gender preferences in university admissions and government hiring. Opponents of the measure have said they would appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court if the proposal is ordered on the ballot.

In a strongly worded order, the appeals court said it may address possible contempt charges against the two canvassers who failed to follow its previous order.

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