Socialist Workers Party v. Secretary of State

This is an appeal from a circuit court order granting defendant’s motion for accelerated judgment on the ground of res judicata. Plaintiffs’1 complaint presented both federal and state constitutional challenges to the statute by which candidates for political office qualify for the general election ballot._

*580I

In 1976 PA 94,2 the Legislature amended Michigan’s election law. In part, that act directs a new political party3 to meet both a petition requirement4 and a minimum primary vote requirement of 3/10 of 1% of the total votes cast5 before it may qualify for a place on the general election…