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, some residents of Jacksonville, Florida, filed a state court lawsuit against the city, arguing that the city must not permit an indoor meeting of 15,000 persons to be held by the Republican Party. The Republican Party’s official convention, for August 24, is in Charlotte, North Carolina; but the speeches with full attendance are set for Jacksonville, August 25-27.
The Republican Party is thinking of holding the Jacksonville meeting outdoors.
The lawsuit is State ex rel Dexter Van Davis v City of Jacksonville, Duval County Circuit Court, 4th judicial district. The lawsuit argues that the indoor meeting with such large attendance would be a threat to the health of nearby residents.
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.
On July 8, the Florida voters and voting rights groups who are trying to establish voting rights for ex-felons filed this application with the U.S. Supreme Court. The U.S. District Court had issued an injunction, letting ex-felons who cannot pay court costs, fines, and restitution, to register to vote anyway. Then Florida appealed to all the full-time judges of the Eleventh Circuit, who stayed the decision and set an August hearing date. Now the people who filed the case hope the U.S. Supreme Court will remove the stay.
On July 8, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner ordered the Republican Party Texas state convention not to be held in Houston. It had been planned for July 16-18. The party may sue. See this story. Thanks to PoliticalWire for the link.
