On June 28, the Eleventh Circuit said it wants oral argument in Hall v Merrill, 16-16766. This is the case on whether Alabama can require petitions of 3% of the last gubernatorial vote, for independent candidates and newly-qualifying parties, in special elections. Last year the U.S. District Court had ruled that because the petitioning time is so short in special elections, the state can’t require such a high number of signatures. The state then filed a notice of appeal to the Eleventh Circuit. Briefs are already submitted.