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A Michigan voter at the polls.

(File photo)

The U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has denied motions meant to stop straight-ticket voting in Michigan.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette filed two emergency motions last week, requesting a stay of a federal court's decision that allows straight-ticket voting in the state.

The court denied Schuette's motion to stay the federal court's decision on Aug. 15, and issued a judgement Aug. 17 denying Schuette's motion for stay pending appeal.

Court documents:

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Schuette filed the motions in an attempt to keep in place a law signed by Gov. Rick Snyder last December to stop straight-ticket voting, which has been allowed in Michigan since the 19th century.

The Michigan Attorney General's office is planning an emergency appeal, Spokeswoman Andrea Bitely said following the Wednesday, Aug. 17, ruling.

"Michigan is no different than the 40 other states that have eliminated straight ticket voting. We will continue to defend the laws of the State of Michigan and plan to file an emergency appeal to the 6th Circuit for an en banc review by the full court," Bitely said.

At the time of the bill signing, Snyder said he would push for no-reason absentee voting because of concerns that the new law could increase the time it takes to vote. That bill remains in committee.

"It's time to choose people over politics," Snyder said at the time.

In May, the A. Philip Randolph Institute, a black labor organization labor, filed a lawsuit, arguing the law disproportionately impacts African-Americans, who are more likely to vote a straight-party ticket.

Last month, U.S. District Court Judge Gershwin Drain agreed with the plaintiffs and granted a request for a preliminary injunction to block enforcement of the law.