Insider Intelligence

Governor Rick Snyder signed into law, legislation removing outdated political party icons from election ballots.  Small images representing political parties have appeared on ballots in Michigan since the 1890s.  However, those in favor of removing the images state they are no longer needed and at times cause voter confusion when a straight-ticket voter circles the […]

This week, U.S. District Court Judge Mark Goldsmith issued an order dissolving the temporary restraining order he issued on Monday, thus ending the state’s recount of the presidential election results.  Following Monday’s initial order, several counties in Michigan began the process of recount ballots.  However, on Tuesday the Michigan Court of Appeals ordered the recount […]

This week, the House passed legislation requiring photo identification when casting a ballot.  Under the legislation as passed, if a voter does not have photo ID when attempting to vote, they will be given a provisional ballot.  Within ten days they must go to their local clerk’s office to show their identification.  Along with the […]

This week, Attorney General Bill Schuette, filed a motion with the U.S. Court of Appeals regarding the state’s attempt to ban on straight-ticket voting.  Originally approved by the legislature and signed by Governor Rick Snyder, the ban on straight-ticket voting was halted by a U.S. District Court Judge last month (see prior article).  In his […]

On Thursday, the Board of State Canvassers rejected eight recall petitions filed against Governor Rick Snyder.  Each petition included as their main reason the Flint water crisis, but each stated different incidences related to the situation.  One stated he should be recalled for “failing to protect the health and safety of the citizens of Flint,” […]

This week, Governor Rick Snyder signed a piece of legislation eliminating straight ticket voting in Michigan.  Under the newly enacted law, a vote must be cast for each partisan race on a ballot, instead of casting one vote by party for all partisan races on the ballot.  It also includes a $5 million appropriation for […]

On Wednesday, after several contentious days of negotiation, the House and Senate came to an agreement on a bill that would eliminate straight ticket voting in Michigan.  Additionally, the bill appropriates $5 million to the Department of State for the purchase of voting equipment.  Due to the appropriation, the bill is referendum proof.  Before final […]

This week the House passed two bills making changes to Michigan’s voting laws. The first bill would eliminate straight ticket voting, thus removing the ability to cast one vote for a single party in all partisan races. The bill includes a $5 million appropriation for the Department of State to purchase voting equipment to help with the changes, thus making it referendum proof.