Federal Judge Rules Against Ban On Straight-Party Voting

LANSING (WWJ) - A federal judge has ruled on Michigan's ban on straight-party ticket voting.

U.S. District Judge Gershwin Drain signed an injunction blocking the state's ban on straight-party ticket voting reports WWJ's Stephanie Davis.

The law that was passed by Republicans--and criticized by Democrats as a way to discourage turnout among minorities. Mark Brewer, who represented plaintiffs in the case, says the ban would have disproportionately affected black voters.

"Because African American voters use straight-party voting more than white voters - they are going to be consequences even more than white voters - that's a violation of the Voting Rights Act," said Brewer.

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, a defendant in the case, declined an interview with WWJ saying through a spokseman that they are reviewing the ruling and have not decided on whether to appeal.