On June 28, the Michigan Senate passed HB 4177. It removes party logos from ballots. It had already passed the House. The Senate vote was 26-9. The bill now goes to the Governor.
This action will help the state win its lawsuit over whether it is legal to repeal the straight-ticket device. The Michigan legislature repealed the straight-ticket device early in 2016, but then a U.S. District Court enjoined the repeal. Michigan State A. Philip Randolph v Johnson, e.d., 2:16cv-11844. Supporters of the straight-ticket device argued that without the straight-ticket device, some voters would think they could draw a circle around a party logo, and that would be the same as a straight-ticket device.
But if party logos no longer exist, then that fear vanishes.
No state subsidy of partisan advertising on the ballot including candidate names. Give the voter a clean all write-in ballot.