Ballot Access News | Edited By Richard Winger

Ohio State Senator Says Democrats Would Win a Lawsuit Against the Early Ohio Certification Deadline

Posted on April 18, 2024 by Richard Winger

According to this story, Ohio Republican State Senator Matt Huffman (R-Lima) predicts that if the Democratic Party sues Ohio over the August 7 deadline for a qualified party to certify its presidential and vice-presidential nominees, the Democratic Party would win that lawsuit. He mentioned the unanimous U.S. Supreme Court precedent Trump v Anderson, issued on March 4, 2024, that said the Constitution does not permit states to block presidential candidates and thus create a “patchwork” of ballot access.

Senator Huffman is chair of the Senate Rules & Reference Committee.

Catoosa County Republican Party Files Federal Lawsuit to Exclude Candidates from Primary Ballot

Posted on April 17, 2024 by Richard Winger

On April 5, the Catoosa County (Georgia) filed a federal lawsuit to keep certain candidates off the Republican primary ballot for County Commission. Catoosa County Republican Party v Catoosa County Board of Elections, n.d., 4:24cv-95. The case is assigned to U.S. District Court Judge William Ray, a Trump appointee.

The primary is May 21. The party feels that some of the candidates (which includes some incumbents) are not bona fide Republicans. A state trial court already ruled in favor of the county board of elections. Thanks to Ned Foley for this news.

Third Circuit Agrees with U.S. District Court and Says New Jersey Discriminatory Democratic Primary Ballots Should be Enjoined

Posted on April 17, 2024 by Richard Winger

On April 17, the Third Circuit issued an opinion in Kim v Hanlon, 24-1594. Here is the opinion. It agrees with the U.S. District Court that the old discriminatory ballot format, in Democcratic primaries, should be enjoined.

Maine Joins National Popular Vote Plan Pact

Posted on April 17, 2024 by Richard Winger

On April 15, Maine joined the National Popular Vote Plan pact, when Governor Janet Mills let LD 1578 take effect. The plan won’t go into effect until more states join. The additional states must have at least 61 electoral votes.

Michigan Special Legislative Election Results

Posted on April 17, 2024 by Richard Winger

On April 16, Michigan held special elections to fill two vacant seats in the State House of Representatives. 13th district: Democratic 65.6%; Republican 34.4%. 25th district: Democratic 59.6%; Republican 38.3%; Constitution Party (U.S. Taxpayers Party) 2.1%.

In November 2022, the results had been similar. 13th district: Democratic 67.4%; Republican 32.6%. 25th district: 63.3%; Republican 36.7%.

The special election in the 25th district included a Constitution Party nominee, the first time that party had run for a seat in the Michigan State House since 2020.

The results give Democrats a majority in both houses of the legislature. As a result, there is a fair possibility the National Popular Vote Plan bill, HB 4156, will start to advance.

Republican Party of New Jersey Fails to Get Injunctive Relief on Ballot Format in Burlington County

Posted on April 16, 2024 by Richard Winger

On April 16, a New Jersey state trial court refused to enjoin the Burlington County Clerk from using the discriminatory ballot format in the June 4 primary this year. Burlington County Republican Regular Organization v Schwartz, Bur-L-684-24. The other similar Republican lawsuit against other counties are still pending.