The ballot proposal seeking to add eight new casinos in locations throughout Michigan is unconstitutional, according to opponents of the initiative. Attorneys representing Protect MI Jobs announced a lawsuit this week due to their perception of eleven conflicts between the proposal and the Michigan Gaming Control Act.

The challenge contends that the proposal combines a constitutional amendment and a legislative amendment – that is to say that the Gaming Control Act is a vote-initiated act and the Constitution requires specific proposals be followed to amend an initiated law.

Because law requires ballot language be provided to clerks 49 days prior to the November General Election, the deadline for determining if the proposal will appear on the ballot or not is September 17th. The group will, therefore, file the lawsuit with the Court of Appeals, asking for a writ of mandamus that would direct the Secretary of State not to place the proposal on the ballot.