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California Secretary of State Releases Results of High School “Mock Election” for President

Posted on October 14, 2020 by Richard WingerOctober 14, 2020

Some California high schools hold a mock presidential election, with assistance from the Secretary of State, who furnishes participating schools with mock ballots. The mock ballots are identical to real California ballots.

On October 12, the Secretary of State released the state totals from this mock election for president: Biden 28,730 (67.64%); Trump 7,638 (17.98%); La Riva 2,386 (5.62%); De La Fuente 1,833 (4.32%); Hawkins 1,149 (2.71%); Jorgensen 740 (1.74%). The Secretary of State’s press release makes no mention of write-in votes, although California presidential ballots do include write-in space, unlike California general election ballots for congress and partisan state office.

U.S. Supreme Court Posts Transcript of Oral Argument in Carney v Adams

Posted on October 13, 2020 by Richard WingerOctober 13, 2020

The U.S. Supreme Court website now has a link to the transcript of the oral argument of October 5 in Carney v Adams. This is the case over the Delaware law that allows only registered Democrats and Republicans to be appointed to the three most important state courts. The transcript is 68 pages.

Four-Party Gubernatorial Debate in Missouri

Posted on October 13, 2020 by Richard WingerOctober 13, 2020

On Friday, October 9, a Missouri gubernatorial debate was held. All four ballot-listed candidates participated. They are the nominees of the Republican, Democratic, Libertarian, and Green Parties. The debaters were in the same room but there was no live audience. See this story. Thanks to Ken Bush for the link.

New York Times Story on When Each State Will Begin Processing Ballots Received Before Election Day

Posted on October 13, 2020 by Richard WingerOctober 13, 2020

The New York Times has this interesting story showing when each state begins to pre-process ballots that arrive before election day. “Pre-process” does not mean that the ballot is counted early. It means that the time-consuming work of checking the signature on the outer envelope is done early.

Only four states don’t do any pre-processing before election day: Alabama, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. And at least Wisconsin election officials do examine the outer envelopes before election day to see if there are any obvious errors on the outer envelope, such as a missing signature.

A bill is pending in Pennsylvania to allow for pre-processing. Pennsylvania has a Republican majority in each house of its legislature but a Democratic governor. There is a great deal of attention in Pennsylvania on whether this bill passes in time to be of use. Thanks to Thomas Jones for the link.

Rush Limbaugh Radio Show Appears to Have Violated Equal Time Rule by Giving President Trump Two Hours With No Other Candidate on Show at Same Time

Posted on October 13, 2020 by Richard WingerOctober 13, 2020

The Equal Time Law, passed by Congress in 1934, still exists. It has been pruned back by court decisions that say “bona fide news shows” are exempt. However, a “bona fide news show” must include more than one candidate. On October 9, Rush Limbaugh interviewed President Trump for two hours, and no other candidate was on the same show.

On October 13, Howie Hawkins, Green Party nominee, asked for equal time. The equal time law is in section 315(a).