A state elections board will meet to finalize the September 5 special primary that will narrow the field of candidates running to complete the term of Congressman Thad McCotter. The Livonia Republican resigned suddenly on July 6. The board will also make decisions about half a dozen petition drives that turned in signatures to put questions on the November ballot.
The four-person, bipartisan Board of State Canvassers will set deadlines for people and groups to file any objections to the proposed ballot questions. The proposed amendments to the state constitution deal with energy policy, union rights, taxes, casinos, and a new international bridge in Detroit. The board has until September to act on any challenges to the questions. One thing the board will not do is deal with a lower court order to place referendum on the November ballot. The measure seeks to repeal the state’s emergency manager law. The issue must first be dealt with by the state Supreme Court, which holds a hearing this week on whether a dispute about type size on a petition is enough to keep the question off the ballot.