Detroit poll workers contacted the ACLU of Michigan to complain that Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey was leading denominational prayers during mandatory training sessions before the August 2013 primary and that she had done the same in past elections.

We wrote to Ms. Winfrey to explain that such official prayer violated the First Amendment because it promoted one religion over another, and religion over non-religion.

Ms. Winfrey wrote back assuring that it would not happen again.

(ACLU Legal Director Michael J. Steinberg and Law Student Intern Karley Abramson.)