Michigan voters fight Emergency Manager law

Opponents of Michigan's controversial Emergency Manager law say they have nearly collected enough signatures to hold a referendum on the issue in 2012. The law is largely considered to be unconstitutional.

The Michigan Citizen:

After a major push by volunteers over the Labor Day weekend, the coalition seeking to place a referendum on the November 2012 ballot said they will have collected enough signatures and expect the campaign to come to an end this month. The effort will have collected more than 161,000 signatures.

If the question gets to the ballot, citizens who oppose Public Act 4 will have the opportunity to vote no in 2012 and the EM law will not take effect.

Labor unions, social justice organizations, churches and community groups formed Stand Up for Democracy Campaign to place the issue on the ballot.

Five percent of the total votes cast for the governor, or 161,304 signatures will have to be gathered and submitted 90 days after the State Legislature adjourns Dec.15 to get the language on the 2012 ballot.

Rainbow PUSH President Rev. David Bullock said 120,000 signatures have been collected and he believes the group will be finished soon.

For some background on EM, check out this segment from Rachel Maddow. The Emergency Manager law was passed by the state legislature earlier this year.