July 2021 Ballot Access News Print Edition

Posted on by July 30, 2021
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Ballot Access News
July 2021 – Volume 37, Number 2

This issue was printed on white paper.

Table of Contents

  1. CONGRESSMAN DONALD BEYER INTRODUCES PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION BILL
  2. MAINE MAKES IT EASIER FOR A PARTY TO REMAIN QUALIFIED
  3. ILLINOIS EASES PETITION DEADLINE FOR 2022
  4. CALIFORNIA BALLOT ACCESS IMPROVEMENT BILL MOVES AHEAD
  5. NEVADA GOVERNOR SIGNS BILL MAKING BALLOT ACCESS WORSE
  6. ARIZONA SUPREME COURT ISSUES KANYE WEST OPINION
  7. CALIFORNIA BILL ON PAYING CIRCULATORS MOVES AHEAD
  8. NEW HAMPSHIRE BILL FOR EARLIER DEADLINES
  9. LEGISLATIVE NEWS
  10. BOOK REVIEW: RUN FOR SOMETHING
  11. U.S. HOUSE JUNE ACTIONS SHOWS THAT PRIMARY SYSTEMS DON’T MATTER
  12. 2024 PRESIDENTIAL PETITION REQUIREMENTS
  13. BALLOT FOR NEW YORK CITY JUNE 22 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
  14. NEW JERSEY 2021 ELECTION
  15. VIRGINIA 2021 ELECTION
  16. RUSSIA BARS REFORMERS FROM SEPTEMBER 2021 BALLOT
  17. PENNSYLVANIA RELEASES HOWIE HAWKINS WRITE-IN TOTAL
  18. NEW MEXICO U.S. HOUSE ELECTION
  19. BILL KING, PROMINENT HOUSTON FIGURE, JOINS SAM PARTY
  20. DSA MEMBER WINS DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION FOR BUFFALO MAYOR
  21. FORMER REFORM PARTY LEADER WINS REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FOR NEW YORK CITY MAYOR
  22. TWO MEN WHO SOUGHT A LIBERTARIAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION DIED IN JUNE
  23. SUBSCRIBING TO BAN WITH PAYPAL

Sixth Circuit Says Initiative Lawsuit Over Ballot Access Relief Due to Pandemic is Moot

Posted on by July 29, 2021
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On July 28, the Sixth Circuit ruled that the lawsuit Thompson v DeWine, 21-3514, is moot. This is the case over whether Ohio should have granted ballot access relief to initiatives due to the covid-19 crisis. The opinion says, “The Covid-19 pandemic is unlikely to pose a serious threat during the next election cycle.” Here is the eight-page opinion.

Lansing, Michigan City Council Removes Ranked Choice Voting Ballot Measure from Ballot

Posted on by July 29, 2021
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On July 26, the Lansing, Michigan, city council removed the ballot measure asking if voters want to use ranked choice voting. Earlier the council had put that idea on the ballot. The city council reversed itself after the state sent a letter, warning that the city may not have the authority to implement ranked choice voting for its own elections. Thanks to Fairvote for this news.

First Circuit Posts Oral Argument Recording in Maine Out-of-State Circulator Ban

Posted on by July 28, 2021
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Anyone can hear the oral argument of July 27 in We the People PAC v Bellows, 21-1149, at this link. It lasts 46 minutes. This is the case over Maine’s ban on out-of-state circulators for initiative petitions, and a second restriction that says no one may circulate unless he or she is registered in the town in which the petition is circulating. The lower court had struck down the ban.

U.S. District Court Strikes Down Wyoming’s 300-Foot “No Politics” Zone Around Polling Places

Posted on by July 27, 2021
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On July 22, U.S. District Court Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal, an Obama appointee, struck down Wyoming’s 300-foot “no politics” zone around polling places on election day. Frank v Buchanan, 2:20cv-138.

Here is the 16-page order. One of the plaintiffs wanted to circulate petitions at the polling place, but 300 feet is such a long distance, the law made that almost impossible. The order also strikes down the ban on large bumper stickers on cars that are parked near the polling place.

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a 100-foot zone in 1992, but generally when states require bigger zones, courts strike them down. Thanks to Trent Pool for this news.