Residents in the state of Michigan may not have the option of voting a straight-ticket after the Michigan Senate passed legislation eliminating that option this past week. Added to the legislation was an $1 million appropriation introduced by Sen. Jim Stamas, R-Midland. Due to state law, the appropriation would prevent the legislation from being repealed by citizens. The Republican-controlled Senate fast-tracked the bill that went from committee to a vote all on Tuesday. The 23-13 vote saw all 11 Democratic senators vote, “nay,” on Senate Bill 13, along with two Republican senators, Joe Hune, Hamburg, and Tory Rocca, Sterling Heights. “We want voters to pick individuals and not a party,” Stamas said.
Rep. Gary Glenn, R-Midland, echoed Stamas’ comments. “I believe it will result in the election of more candidates based on their personal qualifications rather than solely based on party affiliation,” he said. “It also encourages greater voter attention to each individual candidate running for each individual office at all levels of government. More voter education and interest, and less strictly partisan motivation, is surely a good thing.”
Now, the legislation heads to the House to be considered during its next session, which begins Dec. 1. Along with Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas and Utah, Michigan is one of only 10 states that allows straight-ticket voting, according to the National Conference of State Legislators.
Full Article: Senate votes to eliminate straight-ticket voting.