On October 28, a status conference was held in Hall v Bennett, the federal lawsuit over ballot access in the upcoming December 17 special election for U.S. House, in Alabama’s First District. The issue is whether the independent candidate procedures must be relaxed in special elections, given that the petitioning period is so much shorter. The case is being expedited and a decision is likely no later than November 8. The independent candidate, James Hall, submitted 2,835 signatures on the September 17 deadline. The normal requirement in this district is 5,938 signatures. The Republican Party still hasn’t chosen its nominee, but will do so in a run-off primary on November 5.