Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson will be in federal court Friday to defend a citizenship checkbox she ordered on November ballot applications.
Election officials would ask voters to confirm their U.S. citizenship, but would not deny them a ballot if they decline to answer.
A number of county clerks say it’ll cause confusion and could scare off eligible voters.
Andrew Nickelhoff, an attorney for the coalition against the checkbox, questions its legitimacy.
“We know from experience from the August primary and from information we’ve received afterward that many voters don’t think it’s appropriate, and many clerks who are administering these elections don’t think it’s appropriate,” he said.
The Secretary of State had filed a motion asking to have her election director speak on her behalf during the hearing.
The judge denied the request today, saying she had to be present in the courtroom.
Johnson says the citizenship question will help cut down on voter fraud and the number of non-citizens who receive ballots.
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