On April 21, the Second Circuit issued a one-page order in Walder v Kosinski, 25-764. The judges want both sides to address the issue, at the upcoming oral argument, as to whether the law regulating the names of qualified parties even relates to labels chosen by petitioning candidates. This seems to suggest that the judges are leaning toward the view that nothing in New York law stops Mayoral independent candidate Jim Walden from using the label “Independence.”

UPDATE: on April 22, both sides told the court that each side would like to file a brief on this question. The two sides jointly say they can file such briefs by Friday, April 25.