by Craig Mauger
The Detroit News
June 11, 2021
Lansing — The Michigan Supreme Court ruled Friday that the Board of State of Canvassers must certify Unlock Michigan’s petition signatures and advance the proposal to the state Legislature.
The court’s ruling will likely allow the GOP-controlled House and Senate in the coming days to repeal the 1945 law that bolstered Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In what appeared to be a unanimous ruling, the state’s highest court said the investigatory powers of the Board of State Canvassers are limited and the bipartisan panel “has a clear legal duty to certify the petition.”
Fred Wszolek, spokesman for Unlock Michigan, touted the decision Friday.
“We urge the Michigan House and Senate to act promptly to finally strike this awful law from the books forever,” he said. “Gov. Whitmer used this law recklessly to crush businesses, families and lives. No governor should be able to do so ever again.”
Norm Shinkle, the Republican chairman of the Board of State Canvasser, said he hopes the panel can meet next week to certify the signatures. The board’s secretary is contacting members to determine what’s possible with members’ schedules, Shinkle said …
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