WASHINGTON, DC – The Honest Elections Project applauds the ruling in Michigan’s Court of Appeals, which restored the ballot receipt deadline and restrictions on ballot harvesting enshrined in Michigan law. The Honest Elections Project supports a similar case in federal district court challenging the 14-day extension of the state’s ballot receipt deadline. That policy is not only unlawful and unconstitutional, it unnecessarily puts Michigan’s elections at risk of protracted lawsuits and public skepticism about the legitimacy of the results. Today, on plaintiff’s recommendation, that case was held in abeyance, meaning that the federal case can—and will—promptly resume if state law is once more disregarded.
Jason Snead, Executive Director of Honest Elections Project:
“Voters deserve fair elections that follow the law. Last week’s ruling by the Michigan Court of Appeals protects that foundational right, and we hope it stands. Unfortunately, the plaintiffs in that case have already indicated they will appeal in hopes of salvaging their ambition to legalize ballot harvesting and count invalid votes despite the voter protections enshrined in state law.
“Even—in fact, especially—in times of emergency, we must not lose sight of fundamental principles like the separation of powers and the rule of law. Elections should be decided by voters, not partisan lawyers. And the laws that govern our elections should be made by lawmakers, not judges or executive branch officials. The Court of Appeals’ ruling stands for that basic premise. For the sake of fair and trustworthy elections in Michigan, it should be the final word in this dispute.”
