State Supreme Courts Bolster Direct Democracy in Utah and Michigan
Recent rulings by the state supreme courts in Utah and Michigan have significantly curtailed legislative authority over citizen-led initiatives, heralding substantial advancements for direct democracy. These decisions empower citizens to alter laws through popular vote.
In Utah, the ruling could soon lead to the reinstatement of a voter-initiated redistricting reform by the lower court. Meanwhile, Michigan’s decision will enable citizen-drafted labor protections to take effect imminently.
However, the permanence of these decisions faces challenges in the upcoming election. Utah’s legislature has proposed a ballot measure that seeks voter approval to overturn the court’s decision. In response, voting rights organizations have filed a lawsuit to prevent the measure from being counted.
In Michigan, the situation is equally tenuous. A justice who was part of the slim majority supporting the decision is up for a retention election. If this justice loses, the court’s stance could potentially shift in future rulings.
For further details, explore the entire Direct Democracy collection on the Brennan Center’s website.
