{"id":2288111,"date":"2024-07-02T15:52:01","date_gmt":"2024-07-02T19:52:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/appeal-argues-mi-dems-election-amendments-are-unconstitutional\/"},"modified":"2024-07-02T15:58:03","modified_gmt":"2024-07-02T19:58:03","slug":"appeal-argues-mi-dems-election-amendments-are-unconstitutional","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/appeal-argues-mi-dems-election-amendments-are-unconstitutional\/","title":{"rendered":"Appeal Argues MI Dems&#8217; Election Amendments Are Unconstitutional"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fappeal-argues-mi-dems-election-amendments-are-unconstitutional%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2288111&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Michigan lawmakers filed a legal \u200cbrief requesting a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/federal-court-is-fast-tracking-sidney-powells-request-for-a-forensic-exam-of-dominion-voting-machines\/\" title=\"Federal Court Is Fast-Tracking Sidney Powell\u2019s Request For A Forensic Exam Of Dominion Voting Machines\">federal appeals court<\/a> to consider their lawsuit against two Democrat-backed constitutional amendments that they claim violate the Michigan and U.S. Constitutions. The lawsuit, filed in September by 11 \u200cstate GOP legislators against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Secretary \u2063of State Jocelyn Benson,\u200c and the director of Michigan\u2019s Bureau \u200bof Elections, argued that the amendments \u200bviolate the elections clause of the U.S. Constitution. The legislators claim that the power to implement such changes to \u200dstate election laws lies with the state legislature. The lawsuit includes\u2062 leftist-backed election practices such \u200das automatic and same<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republican-state-lawmakers-to-introduce-new-bills-to-limit-vote-by-mail-require-photo-id-to-vote-clean-dirty-voter-rolls\/\" title=\"Republican State Lawmakers to Introduce New Bills to Limit Vote-by-Mail, Require Photo ID to Vote, Clean Dirty Voter Rolls\">-day voter registration<\/a>, no-excuse absentee \u2063voting, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-zuckerberg-bans-president-trump-from-using-facebook-indefinitely\/\" title=\"BREAKING: Zuckerberg Bans President Trump from Using Facebook \u201cIndefinitely\u201d\">ballot drop boxes<\/a>, and election\u200c funding similar to &#8220;Zuckbucks&#8221;. U.S. District Court Judge\u2063 Jane Beckering dismissed the lawsuit in April, citing\u2064 a lack of standing. The plaintiffs have\u200d filed\u2064 an appellate brief with the\u200b 6th Circuit \u200bCourt of Appeals, \u2064citing prior U.S. Supreme Court decisions and Michigan Supreme Court\u2064 decisions to support their\u200c claim for a reversal of the district court&#8217;s ruling.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"article-body body-md bdr-top-black pt-30\">\n<div class=\"row justify-content-center\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<figure class=\"article-thumbnail mb-30 mb-sm-60\">\n<div class=\"article-thumbnail-caption d-flex align-items-center justify-content-md-end label-xs mt-15\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-camera me-10\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Image Credit<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2024\/07\/localimages\/File-3AWelcome_to_Michigan_New_Buffalo.jpg\">Scott Nazelrod\/Wikimedia Commons\/<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\/deed.en\">CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a>       <\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"article-share text-center article-share-simple\">\n<h5 class=\"label-sm mb-10\">Share<\/h5>\n<ul class=\"article-share-list list-unstyled m-0 p-0\">\n<li class=\"article-share-facebook m-0\">       <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2024\/07\/02\/michigan-lawmakers-ask-appeals-court-to-find-democrats-election-amendments-unconstitutional\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-facebook\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Share Article on Facebook<\/span>       <\/a>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-twitter m-0\">       <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=Michigan Lawmakers Ask Appeals Court To Find Democrats\u2019 Election Amendments Unconstitutional&#038;url=https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2024\/07\/02\/michigan-lawmakers-ask-appeals-court-to-find-democrats-election-amendments-unconstitutional\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-twitter\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Share Article on Twitter<\/span>       <\/a>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-truth-social m-0\">       <a href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/share?title=Michigan Lawmakers Ask Appeals Court To Find Democrats\u2019 Election Amendments Unconstitutional&#038;url=https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2024\/07\/02\/michigan-lawmakers-ask-appeals-court-to-find-democrats-election-amendments-unconstitutional\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">         <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"currentColor\" style=\"width:36px;height:auto;\" viewbox=\"0 0 92 93\"><path d=\"M69.444 55.716H56.772v10.37h12.672zM64.487 37.795V27.32H38.666v38.664h13.18v-28.19zM21.05 27.321h12.653v10.471H21.051z\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/><\/svg>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Share Article on Truth Social<\/span>       <\/a>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-link m-0\">       <button data-clipboard-text=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2024\/07\/02\/michigan-lawmakers-ask-appeals-court-to-find-democrats-election-amendments-unconstitutional\/\" data-tooltip-content=\"Copied!\" class=\"clip tooltip\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-link-variant\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Copy Article Link<\/span>       <\/button>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-email m-0\">       <a href=\"mailto:?subject=Michigan Lawmakers Ask Appeals Court To Find Democrats\u2019 Election Amendments Unconstitutional&#038;body=Michigan lawmakers filed a brief asking an appeals court to consider their suit against constitutional amendments they claim are illegal.%20https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2024\/07\/02\/michigan-lawmakers-ask-appeals-court-to-find-democrats-election-amendments-unconstitutional\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-email\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Share Article via Email<\/span>       <\/a>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-email m-0\"><span class=\"printfriendly pf-button  pf-alignleft\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/thefederalist.com\/#\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" onclick=\"window.print(); return false;\" title=\"Printer Friendly, PDF &#038; Email\"><span id=\"printfriendly-text2\" class=\"pf-button-text\"><i class=\"mdi mdi-printer\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>Michigan lawmakers filed a legal brief on Monday requesting a federal appeals court consider their lawsuit against two Democrat-backed constitutional amendments they claim violate the Michigan and U.S. Constitutions.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is extremely important to have these constitutional questions adjudicated as rapidly as possible,\u201d plaintiff and Republican Sen. Jim Runestad <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mifairelections.org\/post\/eleven-michigan-legislators-appeal-federal-lawsuit-to-the-united-states-sixth-circuit-court-of-appea\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">said<\/a> in a Tuesday release from Michigan Fair Elections. \u201cI am a firm believer in the Constitution. The people have a right to have this issue decided in a court of law, so everyone can have confidence that we are preserving civil rights and obeying the Constitution.\u201d<\/p>\n<div  class=\"fdrlst__b89e9-1aa49267109ad265cec8c8354d1a8939 fdrlst__b89e9-paragraph-2\" id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-1aa49267109ad265cec8c8354d1a8939\"><\/div>\n<p>Filed in September by 11 state GOP legislators against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and the director of Michigan\u2019s Bureau of Elections, the lawsuit in question contended that two, constitutional ballot amendments \u2014 one approved by voters in 2018 and the other in 2022 \u2014 violate the elections clause of the <a href=\"https:\/\/constitution.congress.gov\/browse\/article-1\/section-4\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">U.S. Constitution<\/a>, which stipulates that the \u201cTimes, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In their <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2023\/09\/28\/lawsuit-democrats-election-takeover-ballot-amendments-violate-the-michigan-and-u-s-constitutions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">original lawsuit<\/a>, plaintiffs argued that the amendments to the Michigan electoral system are invalid because the U.S. Constitution says the power to implement such changes to state election laws lies with the state legislature. The legislators further claimed the Michigan Constitution provides state legislators similar powers.<\/p>\n<p>Among the leftist-backed election practices added to the Michigan Constitution under the <a href=\"https:\/\/ballotpedia.org\/Michigan_Proposal_3,_Voting_Policies_in_State_Constitution_Initiative_(2018)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2018<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/ballotpedia.org\/Michigan_Proposal_2,_Voting_Policies_in_Constitution_Amendment_(2022)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2022<\/a> initiatives are <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/automatic-voter-registration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">automatic<\/a> and same-day voter registration, no-excuse absentee voting \u201cduring the 40 days before an election,\u201d ballot drop boxes, and the allowance of \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2021\/10\/12\/the-2020-election-wasnt-stolen-it-was-bought-by-mark-zuckerberg\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zuckbucks<\/a>\u201d-style election funding. <\/p>\n<p>U.S. District Court Judge Jane Beckering, a Biden appointee, dismissed the lawsuit in April, <a href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.miwd.109561\/gov.uscourts.miwd.109561.25.0.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">arguing<\/a> plaintiffs \u201cfailed to demonstrate Article III standing\u201d necessary to bring the case. <\/p>\n<div  class=\"fdrlst__b89e9-12187d42762b279fa165ba649c0c42ec fdrlst__b89e9-paragraph-6\" id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-12187d42762b279fa165ba649c0c42ec\"><\/div>\n<p>In their <a href=\"https:\/\/acrobat.adobe.com\/id\/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:920e1ae4-965d-4a13-8264-20b1c207aeab\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">appellate brief<\/a> filed with the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, plaintiffs countered Beckering\u2019s claim by citing prior U.S. Supreme Court decisions that \u201crecognized individual legislator standing, under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, for state legislative ratification of federal constitutional amendments.\u201d They also highlighted previous Michigan Supreme Court decisions they claim \u201crecognize[] that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/step-in-and-protect-life-blake-masters-says-rolling-back-roe-v-wade-isnt-good-enough\/\" title=\"\u2018Step In And Protect Life\u2019: Blake Masters Says Rolling Back Roe v. Wade Isn\u2019t Good Enough\">individual state legislators<\/a> may bring legislative usurpation claims to challenge unlawful executive actions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe complaint alleges a live controversy under the Elections Clause identifying a concrete injury regarding a deprivation of an actual, legally-protected interest connected to a federal right or privilege guaranteeing the opportunity to Legislator-Appellants to vote on state laws regulating federal elections,\u201d the appeal reads. \u201cBecause the 2018 and 2022 amendments were adopted without state legislative approval, the Legislator-Appellants seeks prospective declaratory and injunctive relief, that even the Governor has admitted is available.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Plaintiffs concluded that such reasoning supports a reversal of the district court\u2019s ruling.  <\/p>\n<div  class=\"fdrlst__b89e9-2086449e4d70806c2fb23ff1e31ec2d7 fdrlst__b89e9-after-post-content\" id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-2086449e4d70806c2fb23ff1e31ec2d7\"><\/div>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\">\n<div class=\"article-author-description fst-italic\">      Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He previously served as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-american-freedom-convoy-set-to-launch-on-march-1\/\" title=\"Exclusive: \u2018American Freedom Convoy\u2019 Set To Launch On March 1\">state content writer<\/a> for Convention of States Action and his work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author mt-30 mt-sm-60 pt-30 bdr-top-bold-black\">\n<div class=\"row g-0 align-items-center\">\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-6\">\n<div class=\"article-author-profile d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center justify-content-md-start\">\n<div class=\"article-author-details\">\n<div class=\"label-md\">Shawn Fleetwood<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-twitter label-sm d-flex align-items-center mt-10\">             <i class=\"mdi mdi-twitter me-5\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>             <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Visit on Twitter<\/span>            <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ShawnFleetwood\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-decoration-none\" rel=\"noopener\">@ShawnFleetwood<\/a>           <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-6 d-flex justify-content-center justify-content-md-end mt-15 mt-md-0\">        <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/author\/shawnfleetwood\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">More Articles<\/a>     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"article-tags bdr-top-black mt-30 mt-sm-60 pt-15 pt-md-45\">\n<ul class=\"list-unstyled d-flex flex-wrap align-items-center mb-0 mx-n10 p-0\">\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/ballot-amendments\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">ballot amendments<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/ballot-drop-boxes-2\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">ballot drop boxes<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/election-laws\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">election laws<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/election-takeover\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">election takeover<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/elections\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Elections<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/gretchen-whitmer\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Gretchen Whitmer<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/jocelyn-benson\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Jocelyn Benson<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/lawsuit\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Lawsuit<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/mail-in-voting\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">mail-in voting<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/michigan\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Michigan<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Michigan lawmakers have filed a legal brief asking a federal appeals court to consider their lawsuit against two Democrat-backed constitutional amendments that they believe violate both the Michigan and U.S. Constitutions. The lawsuit, filed by 11 state GOP legislators in September against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and the director of Michigan\u2019s Bureau of Elections, argues that the amendments approved by voters in 2018 and 2022 violate the elections clause of the U.S. Constitution. The plaintiffs claim that the power to implement changes to state election laws lies with the state legislature, not through constitutional amendments. The lawsuit was dismissed by a U.S. District Court Judge, but the plaintiffs have filed an appeal citing prior U.S. Supreme Court decisions and Michigan Supreme Court decisions to support their case. They argue that the amendments were adopted without state legislative approval and seek declaratory and injunctive relief. The plaintiffs believe that their arguments support a reversal of the district court&#8217;s ruling<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":539,"featured_media":2288112,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Welcome_to_Michigan_New_Buffalo.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[7584,5925,33713],"class_list":["post-2288111","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-appeal","tag-argues","tag-mi-dems"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Welcome_to_Michigan_New_Buffalo.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2288111","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/539"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2288111"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2288111\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2288112"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2288111"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2288111"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2288111"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}