On April 15, a New Mexico state trial court rejected a challenge to the ballot position of Chris Manning, Libertarian nominee for U.S. House, special election of June 1. See this story. The challenger says there will be an appeal.
The San Francisco Chronicle has this story about California voter registration statistics. It points out that the share of voters who are registered Republican, and the share that is registered Democratic, are both growing, at the expense of registered independents.
The story does not mention any other parties. The Libertarian Party has grown at a faster rate than any other category over the last two years, but the reporters did not include that fact. Thanks to Scott Lay for the link.
Only two states do not use the term “Supreme Court” for their highest state court, Maryland and New York. Both call their highest state court the “Court of Appeals.” The Maryland legislature recently passed a bill providing that the voters will be asked to amend the state constitution and call their highest state court the “State Supreme Court.” If it passes, that will leave New York alone in terminology for that state’s highest state court. Thanks to Ballotpedia for this news.
As previously reported, on March 29, a U.S. District Court in Georgia struck down the petition requirement for independent and minor party candidates for U.S. House. The judge asked both sides whether she should impose an interim requirement until the legislature acts. She requested a response by April 19.
The plaintiffs quickly suggested either 500 signatures or a filing fee. The state has not responded, except that on April 16, it asked for another week to decide how to respond. The request for another week was then granted.
On April 13, the Michigan House Elections & Ethics Committee passed HB 4530. It moves the non-presidential primary from August to the second Tuesday in June. It would not take effect until 2023. It would have no impact on the petition deadlines for independent candidates or new parties.
