One of a kind straight-ticket device used in Michigan elections moves on to its next legal challenges

From Ballot Access News:

On Friday, September 9, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to intervene in Johnson v Michigan State A. Philip Randolph Institute, 16A225. The Michigan legislature had removed the straight-ticket device at the beginning of 2016, and then months later a U.S. District Court in Michigan had ordered the state to retain the device anyway. The state appealed, and the Sixth Circuit had refused to disturb the injunction issued by the U.S. District Court.

No U.S. Supreme Court Justice issued any writing in the case, but Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas said they would have granted the state’s desire for relief. This outcome does not mean that the device is likely to survive in 2018. Thanks to Rick Hasen for this news.

LANSING, Mich. — The straight-party voting option will still be available in Michigan in the Nov. 8 general election after the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday rejected a last-ditch appeal on the issue from Attorney General Bill Schuette. The court, which currently has eight members, rejected Schuette’s request for a stay of a preliminary injunction issued…