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.
On July 8, the League of Women Voters of the U.S. sued New York election officials, over the state’s policy of rejecting postal ballots. If the signature on the outer envelope of the ballot doesn’t appear to match the signature on the voter’s registration card, election officials discard the ballot, without asking the voter to verify the validity of the ballot. League of Women Voters of the U.S. v Kosinski, s.d., 1:20cv-5238.
Here is the Complaint, which says that New York rejects postal ballots at a higher rate than any other state.
On July 6, U.S. District Court Judge Janet T. Neff, a Bush Jr. appointee, upheld the makeup of the Michigan independent redistricting commission. Various Republican Party officials and members had sued to overturn it. Here is the opinion in Daunt v Benson, w.d, 1:19cv-614. Thanks to the Institute for Free Speech for the link.
