Coalition files suit against citizen check-off box

DETROIT (AP) -- A voting-rights coalition has sued Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, challenging her decision to have a check-off box asking voters to confirm their U.S. citizenship on November ballot applications. The lawsuit was filed Monday in Detroit federal court by the American Civil Liberties Union's Michigan chapter, unions and others. It alleges violations of state and federal law and seeks to have the box removed from applications. Gov. Rick Snyder recently vetoed a bill that included a requirement for voters to check a similar citizenship box. Secretary of State spokeswoman Gisgie Gendreau says Johnson "is committed to secure and fair elections." Gendreau added citizenship is a requirement to vote under state and federal law. Johnson ordered the box to appear in the February and August primary elections. Published: Wed, Sep 19, 2012