The ACLU commits $2 million to Michigan’s Supreme Court race for reproductive rights ads

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan has announced a multimillion-dollar investment into two races for the state Supreme Court, signaling the importance of the competition in the battleground state where control of the court is at stake.

The liberal-championing ACLU Michigan announced Thursday that the ACLU Voter Education Fund is investing about $2 million into the races with seven weeks of statewide radio ads ahead of the November election. Political Director Merissa Kovach said messaging will largely focus on the candidates’ records on reproductive rights.

While Michigan voters enshrined abortion rights in the state constitution in 2022 — firmly cementing the right to abortion — Democrats and allies have still framed the state Supreme Court race through the lens of reproductive rights, saying the court could rule on the topic in the future.

Michigan’s state Supreme Court elections are technically nonpartisan, meaning candidates appear on the ballot without a party designation and straight-ticket voting does not count towards the races. However, candidates are nominated at state party conventions.

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