Virginia elects its state officers in odd years. The 2021 election used the 2010 census districts, because the 2020 census was delayed. Some Virginia voters have been trying to persuade the federal courts to order new elections for lower house of the legislature based on districts that use the 2020 census. An earlier lawsuit lost because the voter-plaintiff happened to live in a district that is under-populated according to the 2020 census, so he could not show that he had been injured.

Now a new lawsuit has been filed by a voter-plaintiff who lives in an over-populated district. Here is the Complaint in Thomas v Beals, e.d., 3:22cv-427. The case is assigned to U.S. District Court Judge David J. Novak, a Trump appointee. If the voter, Jeffrey Thomas, wins his lawsuit, the state will hold new elections before November 2023. UPDATE: see this news story.

The New York Daily News has this editorial on New York election laws. Toward the bottom, it condemns the 2020 law that made it far more difficult for parties to become and remain qualified. The editorial specifically says the SAM, Green, and Libertarian Parties belong on the ballot. However, it celebrates that recent bill that makes it illegal for parties to have “Independence” or “Independent” as part of their names. Thanks to Fairvote for the link.

It is unfortunate that the New York Times has not editorialized about these issues.

A Seattle initiative to use Approval Voting for elections for city office has enough valid signatures. If the City Council doesn’t pass the measure, the voters will be asked to decide whether to use that system. See this story. Thanks to Eric Wong for the link.