Court Opinion

ID: 7956289
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-09 00:16:26.255656+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:34:17.033445
License: Public Domain

Quinn, J.
Pursuant to the provisions of PA 1966, No 261 (MOLA, §46.401 et seq. [Stat Ann 1968 Cum Supp § 5.359(1) et seq.]), the hoard of supervisors of Ontonagon county adopted and filed an apportionment plan for the election of a board of supervisors for the county. This plan did not provide for one supervisor from each organized township as required by Const 1963, art 7, § 7.1 Within the statutory time limit and pursuant to PA 1966, No 261, § 6 (MCLA, § 46.406 [Stat Ann 1968 Cum Supp § 5.359(6)]),2 a registered voter of the county filed a petition with the Court of Appeals to review such plan. By order dated June 29, 1967, the Court of Appeals granted the petition, invited certain amicus curiae briefs, established deadlines *352for tlie filing of all briefs, set the matter for submission at the October, 1967, session of the Court, and requested all those filing briefs to brief 3 specific questions.3
We gratefully acknowledge the assistance given us by all briefs and the oral arguments.
It is self-evident that this plan and PA 1966, No 261, which authorized the plan, are in direct conflict with Const 1963, art 7, § 7, and that both the plan and statute are unconstitutional under the 1963 Constitution of this State. All those involved in this litigation concede this fact. The inquiry then becomes, is Const 1963, art 7, § 7, in conflict with the United States Constitution?
In spite of the merit of the arguments advanced by those urging an affirmative answer to this question, this Court cannot adopt such arguments as a basis for decision if there is controlling law to the contrary. There is such controlling law. In Advisory Opinion re Constitutionality of PA 1966, No 261 (1967), 379 Mich 55, a clear majority of the Supreme Court unreservedly held that Const 1963, art 7, § 7, was constitutional and PA 1966, No 261, unconstitutional, the language of Justice Black in his concurring opinion that advisory opinions are nonprecedential and nonadjudicatory notwithstanding.
We are constrained to hold PA 1966, No 261, and the plan here reviewed unconstitutional and of no effect. This conclusion obviates discussion of the “guideline” question arising from the provisions of PA 1966, No 261, § 4(a) through (h).
*353An appropriate order may enter bnt without costs, a public question being involved.
J. H. Gtllis, J., concurred with Quinn, J.

 Sec. 7. A board of supervisors shall be established for eaeh organized county consisting of one member from eaeh organized township and such representation from cities as provided by law.

 Sec. 6. Any registered voter of the county within 30 days after the filing of the plan for his county may petition the Court of Appeals to review such plan to determine if the plan meets the requirements of the laws of this State. Any finding of the Court of Appeals may be appealed to the Supreme Court of the State as provided by law.

 (a) Is Const 1963, art 7, § 7 in conflict with the United States Constitution;
(b) Is PA 1966, No 261 constitutional;
(c) The relevant case law from any jurisdiction in the United States that interprets or defines similar provisions for “guidelines for apportionment” as contained in PA 1966, No 261, § 4(a) through (h).