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Judge might rule on young voter restriction in Michigan before election

Posted at 2:38 PM, Sep 22, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-23 14:22:59-04

DETROIT (AP) — A judge is changing course and says he might make a decision on a major challenge to Michigan election law before the Nov. 6 vote.

The issue is whether it's unconstitutional to require young voters to vote in person in their first election if they registered by mail. Lawyers for college Democrats say the restriction prevents students from voting in college towns and discourages them from participating. They might be at a school that's hours from home.

The lawsuit wasn't filed until Aug. 30, just weeks before the election. After lawyers agreed to narrow key issues Thursday, federal Judge Robert Cleland said he'll hold a preliminary injunction hearing on Oct. 19.
Cleland says he'll try to make a decision as "expeditiously as possible."