The Rhode Island House of Representatives will reconvene on October 14 and 15. It is somewhat likely that the House will pass SB 203, which eases ballot access for new parties. That bill has already passed the Senate.

Other state legislatures that are expected to be active in dealing with election law bills the remainder of this calendar year are Illinois (where the legislature must decide whether to amend HB 326, or see it vetoed); Ohio (where ballot access for new parties will be determined); California; and probably the Massachusetts legislature will soon decide whether to authorize gubernatorial appointments to fill U.S. Senate vacancies, for the interim period before a special election can be held. Also, the North Carolina legislature is meeting, and the State Board of Elections has asked it to amend the law to provide that all qualified parties be listed on the income tax check-off (so taxpayers can send a small donation to the party they choose). The current law says only qualified parties with registration membership of 1% should be on the form.