August 22, 2024
An Election Day Guide to Essential Polling Etiquette
With a whirlwind to this year’s election cycle already, the 2024 election is shaping up to be one of the most closely monitored in decades.In the following video, municipal law attorney Courtney Gabbara Agrusa discusses proper polling etiquette along with best polling practices that
Latest from Michigan Election Law Blog
What Can My Business Contribute to a Campaign?
August 21, 2024
What Can My Business Contribute to a Campaign?
Entering the final stretch of an election year, it is important for business owners to know what is legal and what isn’t when it comes to campaign contributions.The following video features municipal & election law attorney Mallory Reader discussing the topic of “campaign financing”
A Guide to Regulating Petition Circulators: Best Practices and Key Considerations
July 11, 2024
A Guide to Regulating Petition Circulators: Best Practices and Key Considerations
Petition circulators play a crucial role in democratic processes, but managing their activities can be challenging for public entities. Balancing petitioners’ rights with the need to maintain public order and access to facilities requires a clear understanding of legal principles and
Supreme Court Rules that Elections Must Abide by State Laws
September 20, 2023
Supreme Court Rules that Elections Must Abide by State Laws
The United States Supreme Court recently ruled that state legislatures must abide by the election laws of their respective states.[1] The Elections Clause of the Federal Constitution, Art. I, § 4, cl. 1, provides that the time, place, and manner of
Michigan Voters Pass Two Election-Related Constitutional Amendments
November 21, 2022
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.Proposal 1
Proposal 1 amends Article IV of Michigan’s Constitution
Whitmer Signs Bipartisan Election Bills Ahead of Mid-Terms
October 18, 2022
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.These bipartisan bills include:
Supreme Court Offers Additional Guidance on Sign Restrictions
September 2, 2022
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
Michigan Court of Claims Declares “Adopt and Amend” Unconstitutional
August 5, 2022
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.Under the Michigan Constitution, an issue can become a
The Who, What, When and How of Campaign Finance
June 23, 2022
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.So, what limits apply to you? The following video
Michigan Supreme Court Dismisses Lawsuit Regarding Newly Drawn Districts
February 10, 2022
Michigan Supreme Court Dismisses Lawsuit Regarding Newly Drawn Districts
On February 3, in a narrow 4-3 decision, the Michigan Supreme Court dismissed a challenge to the newly drawn legislative districts approved by the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) late last year. The lawsuit was brought by the Detroit Caucus and alleged