Dean Recall Supporters File Suit to Protect First Amendment Rights
Three supporters of the recall drive against State Representative Robert Dean filed suit in Kent County Circuit Court yesterday to overturn the State law which prohibits non-residents of Dean’s district from collecting signatures on the recall petitions. The First Amendment of the US Constitution guarantees the right to engage in political speech, and Michigan’s laws prevent those who wish to support a recall from doing so.
“As we saw last week, those who oppose the Dean Recall effort, but don’t live in his district, are free to utilize their First Amendment rights to try to verbally intimidate voters and stop them from signing a recall petition. However, those who support the effort are blocked from volunteering to assist in collecting signatures,” said Jeff Steinport, spokesperson for the Dean Recall effort.
Noting that state law allows both opponents and supporters from outside Dean’s district to donate to the recall efforts, Steinport said that, “…state law prohibits supporters from traveling to the district and asking voters to sign a petition. That’s a violation of the First Amendment.”
The suit, filed against Michigan’s Secretary of State, Attorney General, and the Kent County Prosecutor, in their official capacities, seeks to stop the enforcement of this unconstitutional ban on political speech.
Similar laws in other states, such as in Colorado and California, have been struck down on First Amendment grounds. “We are confident that the Supreme Court has already ruled in cases like this. We simply wish to enforce our democratic and constitutional rights by challenging this law. The citizens of Michigan deserve to be allowed to have their voices heard,” said Steinport.
For questions on the lawsuit, please contact Matthew Davis, Attorney for the Plaintiffs, at 517-913-5107.
View the documents filed with the court: