LANSING, MI (WTVB) – Straight ticket voting is preferred by Branch County Clerk Terry Kubasiak and is popular with voters but late last night, the Michigan House of Representatives pushed through a bill to eliminate it in Michigan. Opponents say passage of the measure will just extend lines at polling places.
Republican Al Pscholka defended the change, calling the practice antiquated. Democrats pointed out during floor debate that about half of all voters take advantage of the convenience and that the last time republicans passed this measure, voters agreed to reverse it by 60%. It was tie-barred to a bill allowing no-reason absentee balloting, which GOP Representative Lisa Lyons says should ease lines at the polls.
Senate leaders have already strongly voiced their opposition to no reason absentee voting and have actually proposed legislation making it tougher to vote absentee. They could vote to do away with the tie-bar and send it back to the House, where it’s tough to say what might happen. It only passed last night 54 to 51.
