A voting rights coalition has asked a federal judge to issue a preliminary injunction prohibiting the use of citizen check-off boxes that ask voters to confirm their U.S. citizenship on November ballot applications.
A motion filed Thursday in Detroit federal court by the American Civil Liberties Union's Michigan chapter, unions and others asks that Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson be ordered to stop requiring the check box on applications, and that all clerks be told the box shouldn't be used.
The coalition filed a lawsuit Monday. They're requesting expedited consideration because the election is less than seven weeks away and clerk preparation has begun.
Secretary of State spokeswoman Gisgie Gendreau declined comment on the motion, but previously said Johnson "is committed to secure and fair elections."
