Delaware Bill that Would have Harmed Ballot Access Fails to Pass

On June 30, the Delaware Senate Elections & Government Affairs Committee took testimony on HB 30, the bill to move the non-presidential primary from September to April. It would also have moved the deadline for new parties to qualify from August to April 1, and forced existing ballot-qualified minor parties (which nominate by convention) to certify all their nominees by April 1. The committee has six members, and three of them opposed the bill, so it will not pass.

It had already passed the House. Today is the last day of the Delaware legislative session.

Alabama Loses Lawsuit to Force U.S. Census Bureau to Immediately Provide Data for Redistricting

On June 29, a 3-judge U.S. District Court refused Alabama’s request to force the Census Bureau to immediately release data needed for redistricting. The opinion says, “The Court cannot force the Bureau to do the impossible – that is, comply with an already-lapsed deadline.” Alabama v U.S. Department of Commerce, m.d., 3:21cv-211. Here is the opinion.

The Census Bureau says the data will be available on August 16.