In 2019 the Indiana legislature passed a bill deleting the ability of voters to go to state court, to get an extension of the voting hours when an unforeseen emergency occurs. Indiana is one of only two states that closes the polls as early as 6 p.m. (the other is Kentucky). The new law said only a unanimous vote of the county election board could request an extension.

On July 8, Common Cause Indiana filed a federal lawsuit against the new law. Common Cause Indiana v Lawson, s.d., 1:20cv-1825. Here is the brief.

Raysor v DeSantis is the name of the Florida ex-felon voting rights case filed in the U.S. Supreme Court on June 8. As of early evening, July 9, the U.S. Supreme Court has not yet asked Florida to respond. Case 19A1071. This post will be updated.

On July 8, the Eighth Circuit heard Miller v Thurston, 20-2095. This is the case over whether Arkansas initiatives should get some ballot access relief due to the health crisis. The panel consisted of Judges Raymond Gruender, Roger Wollman, and L. Steven Grasz. The judges seemed unpersuaded by the state’s argument that the First Amendment does not protect ballot access for initiatives. A decision is expected soon.