On March 3, the Iowa Libertarian Party submitted its petition to be on the ballot for Iowa Governor. See this story. As far as is known, this is the first statewide minor party petition submitted in any state this year.
2
On March 1, Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Shelleyanne Chang ordered the Secretary of State to revise the ballot occupational designation of a candidate for legislature in a special election. Haney v Weber, 34-2022-80003825. See this story.
UPDATE: here is the four-page court order.
The first round of the special election for Assembly, 17th district, was held February 15. No one received as much as 50%, so there is a runoff set for April 19. David Campos, one of the candidates, used the occupation “Civil Rights Attorney” on the February 15 ballot. But in the run-off, assuming there is no appeal of the court ruling, he must change it to “Criminal justice administrator.” His most recent job has been an executive in the San Francisco District Attorney’s office.
It is surprising that a court would alter the ballot designation after the first round has been held. This precedent might have relevance to California ballot labels concerning party affiliation. For example, if the Common Sense Party qualified after the June 2022 primary but before the November 2022 election, and it had any candidates in the general election, they might be able to win a ruling that the November ballot should say “Party preference: Common Sense Party” instead of “Party preference: none.” Current California law says the partisan label can’t change between the primary and the election.
On March 2, the Florida House passed HB 921, which makes it illegal for initiative committees to accept more than $3,000 from donors who don’t live in Florida. The vote was 77-39. A similar bill, SB 1352, is pending in the Senate.
An almost identical law was held unconstitutional by the Ninth Circuit in 2021. That case was Thompson v Hebdon, an Alaska case. Thanks to the Institute for Free Speech for the news about the Florida bill.
On February 28, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed SB 1820/HB 1868. It makes it illegal for cities and counties to use ranked choice voting for elections for their own officers. It is believed Tennessee is the first state that has ever had such a law. Thanks to Fairvote for this news.
The Atlanta Civic Circle has this substantial story about Georgia ballot access for minor parties in U.S. House elections.