The tradition of straight-party voting in Michigan may have life after all.

Earlier this year, Gov. John Engler and the Republican-controlled Michigan legislature eliminated straight-party voting in Michigan. No longer are voters able to bump out a single chad and vote for all Democrats or all Republican candidates on a ballot.

Passage of that law didn't sit well with the 250,000 Michiganians who signed a petition to overturn the law and restore straight-party voting. Sponsors of the petition, including the Michigan AFL-CIO and a group called "Pro-Voters," gathered 100,000 signatures more than were necessary to have the matter placed on a statewide ballot. On May 14, the State Board of Canvassers voted unanimously to certify petitions.

As a result, voters will have an opportunity to restore straight-party voting on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.

"Michigan voters - not the Legislature - should decide whether the right to vote straight party should be retained," said Mark Brewer, Michigan Democratic Party chairman. "Today's certification of the Pro-Voters petition signatures means that the voters' right to vote straight party will be protected in November."

The Michigan electorate has had the option of voting a straight-party ticket for more than 100 years. Touted as election "reform" by Republicans, Dems said the bill adopted this year was a thinly disguised attempt to suppress the vote among Democratic
constituencies, particularly African-American and Latino voters in urban
areas.

The legislation to implement straight-party voting was passed almost completely along party lines, with Republicans voting in favor and Democrats voting against. Only Republican Sen. Mike Goschka of Saginaw joined with Democrats against the bill.