EASTPOINTE (AP) — A suburban Detroit city council has approved a settlement in a federal lawsuit over the rights of black voters in which voters now will rank candidates on the ballot in order of their preference.
The city of Eastpointe says its City Council unanimously approved a consent decree Tuesday evening in which it will become the first Michigan city to implement so-called “ranked choice” voting with a goal on implementing it with this November’s city election. It says the mayor will continue to be elected citywide, rather than by ranked choice.
The U.S. Justice Department sued Eastpointe in 2017, saying it should elect council members by district rather than citywide. Blacks made up 30 percent of the population in the last census but only one council member is black.
- Posted June 06, 2019
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
Eastpointe agrees to settle voting rights case

headlines Oakland County
- Whitmer signs gun violence prevention legislation
- Department of Attorney General conducts statewide warrant sweep, arrests 9
- Adoptive families across Michigan recognized during Adoption Day and Month
- Reproductive Health Act signed into law
- Case study: Documentary highlights history of courts in the Eastern District
headlines National
- Oscar vs. Jeff: Trial lawyers and appellate counsel do different jobs, and it may show in their writing
- ‘Can a killer look like a granny?’ Prosecutor poses questions as mother-in-law of slain law prof goes on trial
- ILTACON 2025: The Wild, Wild West of legal tech
- After striking deal with Trump, this BigLaw firm worked with liberal groups to secure pro bono wins in 2 cases
- ‘Early decision conspiracy’ among top colleges is an antitrust violation, suit alleges
- Striking the Balance: How to make alternative fee arrangements work for everyone