LANSING (WKZO-AM) — A bill that would no longer allow straight-ticket voting in Michigan is on its way to Gov. Rick Snyder’s desk.
First, the Senate passed the legislation while eliminating a tie-bar to a bill that would have also required no-reason absentee balloting. Then, the House passed the bill by one vote.
Rep. Jon Hoadley spoke against the bill from the floor, saying Michigan already has the nation’s sixth-longest lines.
“(This bill has the) impact, if not, the intention, of trying to get people waiting in line to leave frustrated and not vote,” Hoadley said.
Several Democrats railed against the bill without the tie-bar.
Al Pscholka, R-Stevensville, later defended the elimination of the polling option.
“This is an old, antiquated system that needs to go away,” Pscholka said.
There may be another caveat. Sen. Steve Bieda, D-Warren, said Republicans are deathly afraid Donald Trump is going to be their presidential nominee, and that, combined with straight-party voting, could doom every GOP candidate on the ballot next fall.
When asked, the governor said he has not decided whether he’ll sign the bill.
– John McNeill
