U.S. District Court Upholds Oklahoma Petition for Independent Presidential Candidates, and the Presidential Nominees of Unqualified Parties

On December 13, U.S. District Court Judge Stephen Friot, a Bush Jr. appointee, upheld Oklahoma’s petition for independent presidential candidates, and the presidential nominees of unqualified parties. De La Fuente v Ziriax, 16cv-914. The law requires 3% of the past … Continue reading

U.S. District Court in Washington Refuses to Enjoin Possible Penalty of $1,000 for Presidential Electors Who Vote for Someone Other than Party Nominee

On December 14, U.S. District Court Judge James Robart, a Bush Jr. appointee, refused to enjoin Washington state’s penalty of up to $1,000 for presidential electors who vote in the electoral college for someone other than their party’s nominee. Chiafalo … Continue reading

Tenth Circuit Denies Injunctive Relief to Colorado Presidential Electors, but Suggests that Secretary of State Cannot “Fire” them for Voting for Someone Unexpected

On December 16, the Tenth Circuit issued a 15-page opinion in Baca v Hickenlooper, 16-1482. The appeal had been filed by two of the electors who had said they planned to vote for someone other than Hillary Clinton. The U.S. … Continue reading