Alabama Republican Party Bans Three Legislative Candidates from its Primary for Political Reasons

Posted on by February 20, 2022
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On February 19, the Alabama Republican Party barred three legislative candidates from its May 24 primary. Alabama case law allows parties to bar candidates from running in its primary for reasons having to do with political stances and association.

Tripp Powell was barred from running for State Senate because in 2018, he donated $500 to the Democratic nominee for Governor.

Anson Knowles was barred from running for State House because at some time in the past, he was chair of the Libertarian Party of his county.

It is not known why the Republican Party barred Teresa Rhea from running. See this story.

California Bill to Ban Ranked Choice Voting

Posted on by February 20, 2022
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California Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach) has introduced AB 2808. It makes the use of ranked choice voting illegal, even for charter cities and charter counties. Here is the text of the bill. Section One sets forth statements criticizing ranked choice voting and denying that is has any benefits.

O’Donnell has been in the legislature since 2014. He has not previously authored election law bills, and he is not a member of the Assembly Elections Committee.

Ian Millhiser Explains Clearly Why February 17 Arkansas Redistricting Decision is Wrong

Posted on by February 19, 2022
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As previously noted, on February 17, a U.S. District Court in Arkansas ruled against the NAACP in a racial gerrymander case, on the grounds that only the federal government can sue states over voting rights, under Section Two of the Voting Rights Act. Ian Millhiser, a journalist who specializes in legal matters, here writes clearly why the Arkansas judge is mistaken.

Some Ohio Voters Ask Federal Court to Choose New Legislative District Boundaries

Posted on by February 19, 2022
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On February 18, some Ohio voters filed a federal lawsuit, asking the federal court to take the responsibility for choosing a redistricting plan for legislative seats. The Ohio Redistricting Commission plans have twice been rejected by the State Supreme Court. The State Supreme Court asked the Commission to try again. But the Commission cannot reach agreement, so there is no new plan. The federal plaintiffs want the federal court to order the state to use the Commission’s second plan. Gonidakis v Ohio Redistricting Commission, s.d., 2:22cv-773. Here is the Complaint, which asks for a three-judge court.