Reform Michigan NOW Proposal hits snag

A controversial ballot proposal which would reform much of the state government (see this previous post for more information) appeared to hit a legal snag today when it cited a portion of the Michigan Constitution which does not exist and is not established under the proposal. 

From the Detroit News:

The mistake in the ballot proposal petition is contained in a section that prescribes how a new director of state elections would be selected. It calls for procedures “as provided for in Article II, Section 11″ of the Michigan Constitution.

The problem is there is no Section 11 in either the current constitution or the proposed ballot amendment.

According to the article this type of legality stopped a previous proposal in 2002 and I am sure Republicans will jump at the chance to challenge this small error; the MI GOP has already said they will challenge the proposal.  The mistake is most likely a result of writing the proposal too quickly and not having the wording reviewed prior to circulating the petition.  The backers of the proposal have led the campaign in secrecy (one of the top reasons I am voting AGAINST the measure) and that may eventually be the downfall of the proposal.

I’ll do my best to keep you all updated on its fate.