Federal Judge Blocks Michigan Ban on Straight-Party Voting

[Purveyor]

Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS

DETROIT (AP) -- A judge on Thursday blocked Michigan's new ban on straight-party voting, saying it strikes at the rights of blacks who tend to vote for Democrats with a single mark on the ballot.

U.S. District Judge Gershwin Drain signed an injunction, a week after hearing arguments. He said the law would place a "disproportionate burden" on blacks in the fall election, the first election that would be affected.

Straight-party voting, in which all candidates of a single party are picked with just a single mark, is very popular in Michigan cities with large black populations, especially Flint and Detroit. It's been on the books for more than 100 years and has been a common choice in some counties that are steadfastly loyal to Republicans, such as Ottawa.

But it was repealed in January by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, who signed a bill approved by the GOP-controlled Legislature.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/federal-judge-blocks-michigan-ban-straight-party-voting-40773710

[RGinNJ]

1. YES! Another win for common sense.

[bucolic_frolic]

2. Hillary may be 'coming for your guns' but

Republicans are coming for your Voter IDs

and the courts aren't lovin' it.

[bjobotts]

3. In MO and other places so many repubs try to make you believe they are democrats to get elected

[riversedge]

4. Walker in WI and his bandit Republicans did the same to us.

[elmac]

5. The Lansing fascists have been out of control

glad to see the Feds taking on anti voting fascists all over the country.

[CobaltBlue]

8. Where is Cersei Lannister when so many need her?

[L. Coyote]

6. WE AREN'T COMING FOR YOUR GUNS, WE ARE COMING FOR YOUR SEATS IN THE LEGISLATURE!

Ooophs, ALL CAPS was unintentional, but I like it.

[catbyte]

7. YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bucolic_frolic]

9. Fear the Party that Fears Your Vote

Trump is coming for your Photo ID!

[John Poet]

10. This was good news!

I won't vote for any Republican, and I'd rather not have to weed my way through all the deep-down ballot races. I started using the straight-ticket button when Bush Jr. was in office (not that I recall ever voting for any Republicans, but I'd hate to make a careless mistake!)

[drm604]

11. What is the Republicans' justification for such laws?

Okay, we know their real reasons, but what are they publicly saying is the reason? I can't see any justification, even a strained one, for such laws.