The state of Michigan has eliminated the straight-ticket device, as the Governor signed bill SB 13 on January 5. The legislature had passed the bill in December.
Straight-ticket devices allow voters to vote for all of the candidates of one party with a single mark at the top of the ballot.
The straight-ticket device hurts independents and non-establishment party candidates, as only the establishment parties are allowed to have the device, and voters who use the device typically won’t look at the rest of the ballot.
Many states have repealed straight-ticket device over the last few decades. The ones where the device remain are Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah.
Thanks to Richard Winger of Ballot Access News for this news.
