AS ADOPTED BY SENATE, February 4, 2021
substitute for
senate Resolution No. 9
Whereas, Government must always respond to citizens in a timely and accurate manner. Democracy demands that government serve its citizens with the utmost efficiency; and
Whereas, Over three months ago, on October 2, 2020, Unlock Michigan filed over 500,000 signatures for its petition to repeal the Emergency Powers of Governor Act, 1945 PA 302, MCL 10.31 to 10.33, entitled an act authorizing the governor to proclaim a state of emergency, and to prescribe the powers and duties of the governor with respect thereto; and to prescribe penalties and
Whereas, Multiple statewide petition proposals from recent years have been processed in less than three months, including some in much less time. The Director of the Bureau of Elections stated in an affidavit that "it takes approximately 60 days to complete the random sampling and challenge process." Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has said petition review could take 105 days; and
Whereas, When citizens lawfully petition their government in an action of direct democracy, it is imperative that the government act swiftly and sincerely; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That we request that the Secretary of State and the Bureau of Elections complete the signature review process for the Unlock Michigan initiative petition; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Secretary of State, the Director of the Bureau of Elections, and the Board of State Canvassers.