FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 27, 2008

CONTACT:

Carmella Sabaugh 586-469-7939

Sabaugh disappointed in court ruling that makes senior voting harder

Today the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that county clerks must end the practice of sending absent voter application forms to all seniors in Fleming v Sabaugh.

A comment from Macomb County Clerk / Register of Deeds Carmella Sabaugh, the defendant in the case, follows:

"There is no question this ruling will reduce voter turnout in November and increase election costs. This ruling bans clerks from mass mailing AV application forms, which means only special interest groups will be doing so, out of the eye of public scrutiny.

I am disappointed that judges in a presidential election year would rule for the Republican Party in an unpublished opinion to make it harder for senior citizens to get an AV application form. I am reviewing my options for appeal.

I am thankful for everyone who rode the Voting Rights Express bus with me to the Court of Appeals to fight for senior voting rights. I will continue to seek ways to make it easier for all citizens to vote regardless of where they live or their party affiliation.

It's now up to seniors to send a message this November and request the AV application form the Republican Party doesn't want clerks to mass mail," said Sabaugh.

The Macomb County Board of Commissioners passed two resolutions authorizing Sabaugh to mail AV applications to all seniors. Today's court ruling overturns those resolutions and overrules Circuit Court Judge David Viviano's opinion that was favorable to seniors.

Background information is available on the Macomb County Clerk Web site.

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