U.S. District
Judge Gershwin Drain placed a preliminary injunction on PA 268 of 2015, legislation that would eliminate the
straight ticket voting option on the August 2016 election ballot.
Justice Drain
felt this law could have disproportionate affects on African-American voters,
as they are more likely to use the straight ticket option. In his decision he
sighted data submitted that read of the 15 cities in Michigan where at least 65
percent of voters used the straight ticket option, only two were majority white.
He also allowed for the party vignettes to remain on the ballot.
Several
Democrats, including House Minority Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills),
praised Judge Drain on his decision. Several Republicans, including sponsor of
the bill Senator Marty Knollenberg (R-Troy), opposed the decision.