Alabama Legislature Passes Bill Easing Presidential Deadlines

On May 2, the Alabama House unanimously passed SB 324, which gives more time for qualified parties to certify their presidential and vice-presidential nominees, and also gives more time for independent presidential candidates to submit their petition.

The fact that the Alabama legislature has moved so quickly to solve the problem that the Democratic National Convention is after the old deadline will put pressure on the Ohio legislature to pass a similar bill.  So far there seems to be no bill to do that in Ohio.

Hearing Held in Ohio Case Over Party Labels for State Supreme Court Judicial Elections

On April 17, U.S. District Court Judge Benita Y. Pearson held oral argument in Brunner v LaRose, n.d., 4:23cv-2180.  State Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Brunner filed this lawsuit in 2023 against the 2021 Ohio law that says party labels should be on general election ballots for elections for State Supreme Court Justice.  There are no party labels for lower level judicial elections.

The state argued that the case should be dismissed.  Brunner asked to amend her Complaint, and the judge directed that Brunner should submit her draft to the other side, and if there are no procedural objections, it will be allowed.

Brunner argues that the Ohio law concerning the conduct of state judges bars the state from putting party labels on the November ballot.  Brunner must run for re-election in 2026.  She is a Democrat.

Several Organizations File Amici Briefs in U.S. Supreme Court in Georgia Public Service Commission Elections Case

On April 26, three more organizations asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear Rose v Raffensperger, 23-1060, the case over whether the Voting Rights Act requires Georgia to elect Public Service Commissioners by some method other than standard at-large elections.

Here is the amicus brief of the Sierra Club.

Here is the brief of constitutional law scholars Quinn Yeargain and Anthony Kreis.

Here is the brief of Georgia Conservation Voters Educational Fund.

Fairvote had already filed an amicus in this case.