DETROIT (WKZO AM/FM) — Straight-party voting will continue in Michigan for now.
A Detroit federal judge has just issued a ruling, permanently barring the state from enforcing a state law passed in late 2015 that would end the practice in Michigan.
District Judge Gershwin Drain said the Republican majority in the legislature intentionally discriminated against African Americans in passing the measure.
Attorney Mark Brewer used e-mails and other evidence to show that it was an intentional effort to suppress voting in urban areas, by clogging up polling places and thus discouraging democratic turnout.
The state could still appeal.
But it could all be moot if a package of election reforms called “Promote the Vote” makes the November ballot and passes.
Straight ticket voting would become constitutionally protected.
It won’t apply to the August 7th vote because it’s a primary, and you will only be allowed to vote as a Democrat, a Republican or Libertarian anyway.
