Elections Panel Approves Affirmative Action Proposal

LANSING — A state elections board Friday adopted ballot wording for a proposal that would ban some affirmative action programs in Michigan.

The Board of State Canvassers voted 3-0 to approve ballot language presented by state elections director Chris Thomas. It states the proposal would ban affirmative action programs that give preferential treatment to groups or individuals based on their race, gender, color, ethnicity or national origin.

The proposed constitutional amendment would affect government employment and contracting and education programs, including university admissions.

The proposal — backed by the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative — appears headed for the November ballot. The Michigan Court of Appeals has said the proposal should go to voters, and canvassers were under court order to adopt ballot wording by Friday.

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