The campaign to expand Michigan’s civil rights law has been given more time to show it has collected enough signatures to qualify for the statewide ballot.
The Fair and Equal Michigan campaign wants to add LGBTQ protections to the civil rights act.
The campaign is challenging a finding by the Michigan Bureau of Elections that it fell short of the necessary number of signatures of registered voters.Steven Liedel is the attorney for Fair and Equal Michigan. He said the Michigan Board of State Canvassers' action means the fight to get on the ballot isn’t over.
“What essentially happens next is a bunch of election geeks get in a room, the staff at the bureau, lawyers for both Fair and Equal Michigan and the opponents and hash out what we believe make(s) the case for what is and isn’t a valid signature,” said Liedel.
Trevor Thomas is the Fair and Equal Michigan campaign chair.
“We are laser focused on making sure every signature that is valid is counted and we believe we are going to be sufficient to be able to move forward in the process,” Thomas said.
The issue is now before the state’s top elections board.
The Board of State Canvassers is expected to make a final determination at its July 26 meeting.
