The
6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Thursday to keep
Michigan’s straight ticket voting option in place.
Denying
Secretary of State Ruth Johnson’s request for an emergency stay of the U.S.
District Court decision disallowing the straight-ticket law from taking effect
was a three-judge panel. Attorney General Bill Schuette has filed for en banc
hearing on the ruling, saying it is his duty to defend Michigan law and seeking
a full 6th U.S. Circuit Court ruling on the issue is a normal course
of action.
The
opportunity for an en banc hearing remains unlikely, regardless of the fact
that the majority of the judges on the 6th Circuit were appointed by
Republican presidents. The three-panel judge on this decision included Justices
that have all been appointed by Democratic presidents.