LANSING – The Michigan Board of Canvassers has denied a petition by a group called Stand Up For Democracy to repeal the emergency manager law.
The four-member State Board of Canvassers deciding whether to send the issue to voters split 2-2 along party lines Thursday. The tie means the measure doesn't get on the ballot.
IMAGES: Board of canvassers denies emergency manager petition
The board couldn't agree on the validity of a challenge to the proposal from a group that said the petitions weren't legal because the heading was printed in a smaller type size than required.
Stand Up For Democracy successfully succeeded in collecting enough valid signatures to get the issue on the November ballot.
However, the petitions passed around by the group did not have the required font size on them. The law says font size must be 14 point on such petitions handed to legislatures, regardless of type style.
"None of this would have occured today had they approved the petition with our staff in advance like almost everyone else does," said Norman Shinkle the Vice Chair of the Board of Canvassers. "The petition was defective."
Stand Up For Democracy said the petitions do not violate any font size rules and that they substantially adhere to the law.
The president for the NAACP Wendel Anthony said, "We want the people to be impressed. It's not over. This is but a particular battle, the war is still being waged."
Supporters plan to ask for an expedited appeal with the state appeals court.
In the end the Michigan Supreme Court will most likely make the final decision on if this will be on the November ballot.