State lawmakers have approved a push to remove the option for voters to cast straight party-line ballots by checking one box. On Tuesday, the Republican-led House of Delegates voted 87-13 to prohibit the practice. Only Democrats opposed the bill. The Senate cleared a similar proposal last month. Currently, West Virginia voters can select every candidate from a single party simply by picking the straight-party option.
Last election, almost 71,000 voters cast straight-party Republican ballots, compared to about 53,200 Democratic ones.
Only 12 states allow straight-ticket voting now.
The bill is expected to head to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin soon.
Source: W.Va. lawmakers OKs bill nixing straight party ticket voting – Bluefield Daily Telegraph: News.