LANSING (AP) — A federal judge says some Michigan lawmakers must sit for interviews about a law that bans straight-party voting.
The questions will be limited to what they might have said about their motives to people outside their offices. U.S. Magistrate Judge Mona Majzoub says communications between lawmakers and their staff are protected.
The depositions are part of a lawsuit.
Straight-party voting means making a single mark on a ballot to pick candidates of one party.
Critics of the ban say it violates the rights of black voters in urban areas who typically vote for Democrats.
A judge suspended the law in 2016, but the litigation is ongoing.
The decision affects Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof; Sen. Marty Knollenberg; Sen. David Robertson; Rep. Michael McCready; and former Rep. Lisa Lyons.
- Posted January 09, 2018
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
Judge: Lawmakers can be questioned about straight-party voting ban
headlines Macomb
- Macomb County Meals on Wheels in urgent need of volunteers ahead of holiday season
- MDHHS hosting three, free virtual baby showers in November and December for new or expecting families
- MDHHS secures nearly 100 new juvenile justice placements through partnerships with local communities and providers
- MDHHS seeking proposals for student internship stipend program to enhance behavioral health workforce
- ABA webinar November 30 to explore the state of civil legal aid in America
headlines National
- This Is the Moment
- ACLU and BigLaw firm use ‘Orange is the New Black’ in hashtag effort to promote NY jail reform
- BigLaw partner won’t charge his $3,250 hourly rate to defend New Jersey cities in Trump administration suits
- After second federal judge withdraws error-riddled ruling, litigants seek explanation
- 5 hallucinated cases lead federal judge to kick 3 Butler Snow lawyers off case
- Bondi files ethics complaint against federal judge who reportedly expressed concern about ‘constitutional crisis’
