State officials this month could finish
reviewing petitions submitted by a group that wants to ban race- and
gender-based preferences at Michigan universities and in government
hiring. State Elections Director Chris Thomas said Monday that
officials could wrap up their review of the petitions as early as this
month. The Board of State Canvassers met to set a deadline for
challenges to the signatures. Once elections officials submit a report,
individuals or groups will have 10 business days to challenge
signatures submitted to get on the 2006 ballot a proposed
constitutional amendment that would stop public agencies and
universities from granting preferential treatment based on race, color,
ethnicity, national origin or sex. That would ban several types of
affirmative action programs in Michigan. Opponents to the amendment
tried to extend the challenging period to 20 business days, but the
bipartisan board split on a 2-2 vote, meaning the attempt failed. The
Michigan Civil Rights Initiative submitted more than 508,000 signatures
in early January. At least 317,757 valid signatures of Michigan voters
are needed to put the proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot. [more]
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