Showing 16 posts in Alerts and Updates.
Michigan Voters Pass Two Election-Related Constitutional Amendments
In this year’s midterm election, Michigan voters passed three constitutional amendments, two of which make significant changes to the state’s election process, impacting voters, candidates, and office holders. So, what do these amendments do? Let’s examine. Read More ›
Categories: Alerts and Updates, Legislative Updates
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Whitmer Signs Bipartisan Election Bills Ahead of Mid-Terms
With mid-term elections right around the corner, on Friday October 7, Governor Whitmer signed a package of bills which includes a handful of changes to how clerks process ballots, including those coming from our military serving overseas. Read More ›
Categories: Alerts and Updates, Campaign Finance (MCFA), Legislative Updates, News
Supreme Court Offers Additional Guidance on Sign Restrictions
Nearly seven years after its landmark ruling in Reed v Town of Gilbert, the U.S. Supreme Court has clarified a question that has split circuits across the country: can a municipality still differentiate between on- and off-premises signs? The court, in City of Austin v Reagan National Advertising of Austin, LLC, has held that such distinction is facially content neutral under the First Amendment and therefore a valid regulation. This overturns past Sixth Circuit (which covers Michigan) precedent. Read More ›
Categories: Alerts and Updates, Case Law Updates
Michigan Court of Claims Declares “Adopt and Amend” Unconstitutional
On July 19, 2022, in Mothering Justice et al. v. Nessel, the Michigan Court of Claims declared the legislative practice of “adopt and amend” unconstitutional under Article 2, § 9 of the Michigan Constitution. Read More ›
Categories: Alerts and Updates, Candidates and Committees
Political Spam: You Can’t Unsubscribe
Anyone with an email address or cell phone is painfully familiar with spam messages, unsolicited e-mails, phone calls, and text messages, clogging our already crowded inboxes and resulting in constant notifications to our phones. While commercial spam tries to entice us to buy something year-round, every two years, voters must also suffer through an uptick of political advertisements during election season. Candidates are increasingly reliant on free mediums (such as email or social media advertising) and low-cost mediums (such as phone calls and text messages) to get their message across to voters and potential donors. As a result, voters are inundated with spam messages they cannot opt-out of or avoid, and Congress is likely powerless to stop it. Read More ›
Categories: Alerts and Updates, Candidates and Committees, News
The Who, What, When and How of Campaign Finance
Election season is heating up in Michigan and you might be wondering how you can get involved. Besides voting, the easiest way to help out a particular campaign or support an issue is to donate. Read More ›
Categories: Alerts and Updates, Campaign Finance (MCFA), Candidates and Committees
Can We Ban That Sign?
Revisiting Reed v Town of Gilbert & Its Impact on Local Sign Regulations. This blog has been updated with new information since its original publication in June 2021.
As the weather warms up, so does campaign season. This year, Michigan will hold elections for every U.S. House Seat, statewide seats such as Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State, state house and state senate seats, and numerous local elections. Already political signs are popping up across the state. Read More ›
Categories: Alerts and Updates, Compliance, Did you Know?, U.S. Supreme Court
Sixth Circuit Rejects Michigan Lawmakers’ Challenge to State’s Term Limits Law
On November 17, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit rejected a constitutional challenge brought forward by a bipartisan group of Michigan state legislators arguing that their state’s term limits violate their constitutional rights. Read More ›
Categories: 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, Alerts and Updates, Candidates and Committees, Legislative Updates, News
Confusion Rises Over Census Submission Deadline
Once every ten years, the US Constitution requires a count of all persons residing in the country for the purpose of reapportioning the US House of Representatives. The Census Bureau uses this count to determine how many house seats each state is entitled to. From there, each state draws its own congressional maps using the census data; here in Michigan, we have an independent citizens redistricting commission to draw both congressional districts and state house and senate districts. Read More ›
Categories: Alerts and Updates, Candidates and Committees
Township Clerk Arraigned After Ballot Mishap
Michigan Election Law (MEL) regulates every aspect of voting, including what happens to a ballot after it is cast. As one Michigan township clerk recently found out, if those rules are not closely followed, clerks and other election officials could be facing misdemeanor charges. Read More ›
Categories: Alerts and Updates, Compliance