Ohio Initiative Proponents Ask for U.S. Supreme Court Intervention

Posted on by June 1, 2020
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On June 1, the Ohio groups trying to get an initiative on the ballot asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reinstate the ruling of the U.S. District Court that had granted relief, and to lift the stay the Sixth Circuit had imposed on that relief. Thompson v DeWine. There is no case number yet. Here is the Supreme Court filing.

This is the first ballot access case involving the health crisis that has reached the U.S. Supreme Court. In the meantime, the request for Sixth Circuit rehearing is still pending.

Illinois Proponents of Local Initiatives Renew Plea for Ballot Access Relief

Posted on by June 2, 2020
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On May 1, U.S. District Court Judge Sue Myerscough declined to grant ballot access relief to proponents of some local Illinois initiatives, because the petition deadline for local initiatives is August 3, and the Governor’s order for social distancing expired May 29. The ruling said the proponents would be free to get their signatures after the Governor’s order expired on May 29.

But on May 29, the Governor extended the social distancing order until June 28. So, on May 29, the proponents asked Judge Myerscough to re-open the case and grant relief. Bambenck v Althoff, c.d., 3:20cv-3107. Here is the request for reconsideration.

May 2020 Ballot Access News Print Edition

Posted on by September 27, 2020
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Ballot Access News
May 2020 – Volume 35, Number 12

This issue was printed on purple paper.

Table of Contents

  1. COURTS IN FOUR STATES EASE NUMBER OF SIGNATURES FOR CANDIDATES OR PARTIES, DUE TO HEALTH CRISIS
  2. NEW YORK MAKES BALLOT ACCESS WORSE
  3. VERMONT WAIVES PETITIONS FOR 2020
  4. UTAH ELIMINATES STRAIGHT-TICKET
  5. VIRGINIA ALLOWS OUT-OF-STATE PETITIONERS
  6. COURT ALLOWS LATER VIRGINIA NOMINATIONS
  7. NEW BALLOT ACCESS LAWSUITS
  8. HIGH COURT SETS DATE FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTOR CASE
  9. SOME STATES EASE BALLOT ACCESS BY ADMINISTRATIVE FIAT
  10. OTHER LAWSUIT NEWS
  11. BOOK REVIEW: A SHORT HISTORY OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CRISES
  12. BOOK REVIEW: A FAITHFUL REMNANT
  13. NUMBER OF U.S. HOUSE RACES WITH ONLY ONE CANDIDATE, 1972-1994
  14. NUMBER OF U.S. HOUSE RACES WITH ONLY ONE CANDIDATE, 1996-2018
  15. LEGISLATORS IN TWO STATES FAIL TO GET ON PRIMARY BALLOT, DUE TO PAPERWORK ERRORS
  16. LIBERTARIAN PARTY CONVENTION
  17. DEMOCRATIC PARTY DELAYS PRESIDENTIAL CONVENTION
  18. COMMON SENSE PARTY CLAIMS PROGRESS ON REGISTRATION DRIVE
  19. ALLIANCE PARTY NOMINATES
  20. UNITY PARTY NOMINATES
  21. THREE LIBERTARIANS ELECTED TO WISCONSIN NON-PARTISAN OFFICE
  22. SUBSCRIBING TO BAN WITH PAYPAL

U.S. Supreme Court Speaks About Health Crisis for First Time, and Ohio Initiative Proponents Make Use of High Court Action

Posted on by May 30, 2020
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On Friday night, May 29, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an order in South Bay United Pentecostal Church, 19A1044. Read it here. By 5-4, it upholds California’s limits on church services for the time being. Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the court’s four liberal members. The California rules limit attendance at churches to 100 persons, or 25% of the building capacity, whichever is less.

On Saturday, May 30, Ohio initiative proponents filed a brief in Thompson v DeWine, 20-3526, discussing the U.S. Supreme Court action. Thompson v DeWine is the case over whether Ohio should give ballot access relief to initiatives. The U.S. District Court had ruled favorably to the initiative proponents, but the Sixth Circuit had reversed the U.S. District Court. The Ohio initiative proponents the same day filed a petition for rehearing en banc. The Saturday brief is intended to bolster the case on behalf of ballot access relief.

Georgia Secretary of State Files Brief Opposing Ballot Access Relief for 2020 Petitioning Candidates

Posted on by May 31, 2020
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On May 29, the Georgia Secretary of State filed this brief in Cooper v Raffensperger, n.d., 1:20cv-1312. It argues that the U.S. District Court should not give any relief from petitioning for independent candidates and the nominees of unqualified parties, notwithstanding the health crisis.

The state claims that Georgia’s petitioning period, seven months, is the longest in the nation. This is erroneous. A majority of states do not set a starting date for candidate petitions, and petitions to qualify a new party. Certain other states permit a year to gather the signatures.