LANSING (WKZO-AM) — A federal lawsuit has been filed challenging the so-called ballot “gag order” law, charging that it violates free speech.
Local, municipal and school officials apparently got tired of waiting for the legislature to act on clarification language, which Gov. Rick Snyder urged when he signed the bill.
The plaintiffs all have items scheduled to appear on the March 8 ballot and are currently subject to the law, which bans them from spending money to discuss bond issues and millage requests two months before an election.
Dowagiac Mayor Donald Lyons is among the plaintiffs.
“If we can’t, as elected officials, communicate using every possible means, why are we even here?” Lyons said.
The plaintiffs are also asking for an injunction, which would lift the ban until a settlement is reached. The suit claims the law is a clear violation of the First Amendment.
Kalamazoo County and Kalamazoo Public Schools officials have also expressed their opposition to the law. The county has a renewal request for their vital law enforcement millage on the May 3 ballot.
– John McNeill
