As has been noted, on February 26 the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear Washington state’s appeal in the “top-two” case. The state’s first brief on the merits in the U.S. Supreme Court is due on April 12. Then the briefs of the Democratic, Republican and Libertarian Parties are due on May 17, with the state permitted to file a rebuttal brief in June. The hearing itself will be in October or November 2007.

Probably one of the effects of the Court’s agreeing to hear the case is that several election bills in Washington will now be put on hold for this year’s legislative session. That probably includes HB 1534, which made some positive changes to the minor party and independent candidate procedures.