Michigan Supreme Court: Tea Party off ballot

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - A new court order leaves a shadowy group calling itself "The Tea Party" off Michigan's November ballot.

The Michigan Supreme Court said in an order Friday it won't take up an appeal of a lower court ruling that left "The Tea Party" off the ballot.

Republicans and tea party activists consider "The Tea Party" a Democrat-supported fake aimed at siphoning away votes from conservative candidates. The effort has connections to a former Oakland County Democratic official.

The Michigan Court of Appeals earlier this week ruled "The Tea Party" could not be on the ballot because of an irregularity on its petitions circulated to make the ballot. The word "the" was not in 24-point bold face type on its petitions as the appeals court said is required by law.