LANSING – Citing the need to remain consistent with established Michigan law, Attorney General Mike Cox announced today that his office will appeal an Ingham Circuit Court ruling last week that would invalidate ballot proposal petitions of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI).

“This appeal is not about the substance of the petition drive; it’s about the process for petitioning.  The language of the petitions in question clearly meets the test established by Michigan’s courts,” Cox said. “As a matter of law, the language of the MCRI petition does not add to, delete from, or change the existing wording of any section of our constitution.”

Attorney General Cox emphasized this appeal is not about the substance of MCRI’s petition drive; this appeal is about whether the State Board of Canvassers was correct in approving the form of the petition.