On May 6, proponents of a Nevada redistricting initiative filed a federal lawsuit for ballot access relief. They seek the ability to obtain electronic signatures, and a later deadline. Fair Maps Nevada v Cegavske, 3:20cv-271. The case is assigned to U.S. District Court judge Miranda M. Du, an Obama appointee. Thanks to Steve Kamp for this news.
The Washington Secretary of State has waived the petition in lieu of filing fee for the primary, for candidates who can’t afford to pay the fee. See this story.
The new rule doesn’t have any impact on the presidential independent/minor party petition, which is 1,000 signatures due July 25.
On May 6, a group of initiative proponents filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for ballot access relief in North Dakota. Sinner v Jaeger, 3:20cv-76. Here is the Complaint. The case is assigned to Judge Peter Welte, a Trump appointee.
On May 6, proponents of an Arkansas nonpartisan redistricting initiative filed this reply brief in U.S. District Court, in their lawsuit over ballot access for initiatives. Miller v Thurson, w.d., 5:20cv-5070.
On May 6, the Michigan Secretary of State said that primary petitions need a number of signatures equal to 70% of the statutory requirement. The Secretary of State made this decision after the Sixth Circuit said that some relief is required, but that the Secretary of State should be the person who decides how much relief is needed. This battle started in U.S. District Court, when Eric Esshaki won a 50% reduction.
Esshaki is on the ballot, but some of the intervenors in his lawsuit won’t be on the primary ballot if the Secretary of State’s 70% requirement is in force. Deana Beard, a candidate for a nonpartisan judicial race, and Bob Carr, a Republican running for U.S. Senate, won’t qualify under the Secretary of State’s rule, and they are intervening. Another hearing in U.S. District Court over the reasonableness of the 70% is set for Thursday afternoon, May 7. Meanwhile the Michigan Republican Party filed an amicus curiae brief to argue against letting electronic signatures be used. Thanks to Thomas Jones for this news.
