The group behind a petition drive to repeal a state emergency law has asked the Michigan Supreme Court to certify their efforts.

Unlock Michigan made the move in court after the Board of State Canvassers deadlocked along partisan lines on certification of the effort to repeal the Emergency Powers of Governor Act of 1945. Disputes over certification of ballot proposals now go directly to The Supreme Court.

The emergency law became a topic of discussion after Governor Whitmer used it to issue a stay-home order and other restrictions in response to the COVID pandemic. The Bureau of Elections staff has recommended that the board certify the petition, but some Democratic board members cite concerns about measures that were used by the petition circulators.