Judge Gershwin A. Drain
In January, Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation to ban, single-party, straight ticket voting, a move some complained was aimed at Democrats who more frequently voted that way.
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Gershwin A. Drain issued a preliminary injunction blocking the state ban, saying it would result in longer lines and wait times at polling places and it would disadvantage black voters the most, Paul Egan of the Detroit Free Press reports.
"The court finds (the law) presents a disproportionate burden on African Americans' right to vote," partly because, in Michigan's most populous counties, there is a strong correlation between the size of the black voting population and the use of straight-ticket voting, Drain said in a written opinion.
Multiple plaintiffs had filed a lawsuit challenging the law. A trial on the merits will still be held before Drain, who said he issued the injunction because the plaintiffs have a good chance of winning and he intends for straight-ticket voting to be in place for the November election, barring a successful appeal, the Freep reported..
The Michigan Secretary of State's Office and the Attorney General's Office gave no indication whether they plan to appeal, the Freep reports.
President Barack Obama appointed Judge Gershwin A. Drain to the federal bench in Detroit in August 2012.
Prior to his appointment, he served as Judge from 1997 to 2012 on the Wayne County Circuit Court. From 1987 to 1997, he served as Judge for the Recorder's court. In 1986, Gov, James J. Blanchard appointed him to the 36th District Court for the City of Detroit.