ANN ARBOR—The issues are complex, the debate is heated, campaign ads reduce everything to sound-bites” and the question is too important to decide in that way. Where can voters look for assistance in making tough decisions?

“A Decision-Making Guide to the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative” is an objective and non-partisan, easy-to-use and personalized tool that readers can use to sort through the competing and conflicting claims in support and in opposition to the proposed constitutional amendment, which will appear on the November 2006 state ballot.

The guide was written by University of Michigan professor Scott E. Page and doctoral student Elizabeth Suhay, and produced with research funds from Project Diversity at the Center for the Study of Complex Systems at the University of Michigan. It presents the language that will appear on the November 2006 ballot and discusses what could, and what likely would not, change if the proposal passes.

It discusses concepts at the heart of the debate: ” discrimination” as well as ” equal protection under the law. ” Then, it presents clear arguments for and against the proposal. In its final section, the guide offers advice on how to approach decisions such as this one, which require balancing conflicting evidence, values, and interests” helping each reader make his or her own personal decision. Along the way, footnote references are provided for the interested reader.

“The vote on this proposed constitutional amendment is of monumental importance to Michigan and our future. The University of Michigan is an educational institution. In writing this guide, Ms. Suhay and I sought to provide voters an educational tool” concrete, useful information about the proposed constitutional amendment,” Page said. “We sought out and received input from advocates on both sides of this issue.

“Though this issue will be argued in slogans and television and radio ads for the next several weeks, we wanted to provide an objective and easily understood resource for Michigan voters, to help them reach beyond these sound bites and to be able to engage in a broader discussion, so they can sort through their own personal opinions on this hotly debated issue. “

Copies of ” A Decision-Making Guide to the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative” pamphlet are provided to the public, free of charge, by contacting Howard Oishi at hoishi@umich.edu or at 734.763.3301. The guide also is available online. (PDF)