Detroit to Defy Secretary of State, Remove Citizenship Box from Ballot Apps from GOVERNING: State government news on politics, management & financ The city of Detroit plans to remove a citizenship question from ballot applications before the November election - another direct challenge to the Republican secretary of state's authority to require the check-off box. www.governing.com/news/state/Detroit-to-Defy-Secretary-of-State-Remove-Citizenship-Box-from-Ballots.html