Michigan straight-party voting ban won't take effect

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to let Michigan's new ban on straight-party voting take effect for the November election.

The court on Friday rejected a request by state officials to halt lower court rulings that blocked the Republican-sponsored law signed by Gov. Rick Snyder.

The court's decision means Michigan voters will still be able to use the popular straight-ticket option, which allows them to support all candidates from one party with a single mark.

In issuing a preliminary injunction, a federal district judge ruled the law would create longer lines and disproportionately burden black voters who are more likely to use the straight-ticket option. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied a request for a stay pending appeal.

Forty other states prohibit straight-party voting.