On March 8, Paul Berry, a Republican congressional candidate, filed a lawsuit in state court, complaining about the failure of the legislature to have redrawn new U.S. House districts. Berry v State, 224c-cc00103, Cole County Circuit Court. This lawsuit is unusual because it does not involve partisanship. The Missouri legislature has a Republican majority in both houses. The House has passed a plan for new U.S. House districts, but the Senate has not. Here is the Complaint. Berry wants the court to draw the districts.

The primary is in August and the deadline for candidates to file for the primary is March 29. Independent candidate petitions are due in late July. Thanks to Ken Bush for the link.

On March 14, the Arizona Senate passed SB 1460 by 17-12. Among other things, it allows independent candidates to use electronic signatures. Arizona already lets candidates running in primaries use electronic signatures.

Unfortunately, the bill also moves the deadline to file as a declared write-in candidate from 40 days before the election or primary, to 106 days before.

On March 14, some Louisiana voters filed a federal lawsuit against the boundaries of the new legislative districts. They charge the new district lines violate the federal Voting Rights Act. Nairne v Ardoin, m.d., 3:22cv-178. Here is the complaint.

Louisiana doesn’t elect state legislators until 2023.