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Independent candidates who want to run for statewide office will have an easier time getting on the ballot.
A federal judge has ruled that Michigan’s 30,000-signature requirement for statewide ballot placement was too high.
Judge Victoria Roberts of the Eastern District of Michigan has lowered the standard to 12,000 signatures.
The ruling comes in a case brought by Christopher Graveline, who ran as an independent for Attorney General 2018. He collected 18,000 signatures, and sued, saying that should be enough.
Roberts agreed, and, at the time, issued a temporary injunction placing him on the ballot. He eventually received less than two percent of the vote.
On Sunday, Roberts made her injunction permanent.
Michigan is a notoriously difficult state for independents who want ballot placement.
Independent candidates must file their petition signatures 110 days before the election in order to be considered. Candidates selected by the Republican, Democratic and Libertarian Parties are typically named at their party conventions about 60 days prior to the election, and do not need to submit signatures.
The 12,000-signature level will stand until the state draws up new rules, or it is overturned on appeal.
