FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Progress Michigan
December 16, 2015
Contact: Sam Inglot, 616-916-0574, sam@progressmichigan.org
Senate Votes Straight Ticket to Eliminate Straight Ticket Voting
Michigan GOP Uses Last Session Day Before The Holidays to Prove That They Hate Democracy
LANSING — Progress Michigan released the following statement regarding the Michigan GOP’s attempt to rig elections in their favor by repealing the straight ticket option on voting ballots. The move comes after a tie-barred bill that was a watered-down version of a no-reason absentee voting bill was removed.
“This bill was bad before, but now that conservatives have removed the tie-bar to the not-so no-reason absentee voting bill, their intentions are even more nakedly political,” said Lonnie Scott, executive director of Progress Michigan. “This is just an effort to create longer lines at the polls with the hopes of disenfranchising voters and will overwhelmingly affect voters in our urban areas. Republicans know that the majority of voters reject the hateful and racist party of Trump they have become, so once again they are trying to rig the rules in their favor.”
In an act of pure irony – or just a giant middle finger to Michigan voters – the Senate Republicans lumped numerous amendments into one vote in an effort to save time and prove the arguments of those opposed to this bill.
“Once again, we can count on Lansing Republicans to play fast and loose with the constitution,” Scott continued. “If Governor Snyder has even a sliver of respect for democracy he will veto this bill immediately.”
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