AAUP Statement on the Passage of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative
On Tuesday, November 7, 2006, Michigan voters approved Proposal Two to amend the state constitution. The measure was also referred to as the “Michigan Civil Rights Initiative.” The Government Relations Committee of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) is troubled by the outcome of this referendum. The national AAUP, along with the Michigan AAUP state conference, joined many in the state—including both the Democratic and Republican candidates for governor and the Michigan Civil Rights Commission—in opposing the measure, at least partly due to concerns that the overly broad wording could lead to unintended and damaging consequences for higher education. Learn more. (11/28)
Connerly continues to campaign for these so-called "civil rights initiatives". In 2007, he announced campaigns in five states to put referendums on the November 2008 ballots in Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Two of those state campaigns have already failed. The Oklahoma campaign failed due to insufficient petition signatures. Connerly also folded his floundering campaign in Missouri after it became clear that he could not get the required number of signatures by the deadline. Efforts to get a measure on the fall ballot are still active in Arizona, Colorado and Nebraska.