Sunday, July 19, is the last full day for independent presidential candidates to petition in South Carolina. The petition is due at noon, Monday, July 20. Kanye West is holding a rally in North Charleston on July 19, hoping to attract enough supporters to complete his petition. See this story. Attendees must have signed up in advance; social distancing will be enforced.

This technique is somewhat similar to the methods George Wallace used to get on the general election ballot in 1968, in the states with difficult requirements. In California, Wallace held many rallies to attract supporters, so that they could re-register into his American Independent Party at the meetings.

On July 17, the New Hampshire Libertarian Party filed this list of suggested facts in Libertarian Party of New Hampshire v Sununu, 1:20cv-688. This is the case that asks for ballot access relief due to the health crisis.

On July 17, U.S. District Court Judge Lynn Hughes, a Reagan appointee, ruled that the Texas Republican Party could hold its state convention in-person in Houston. Hotze v ABbott, s.d., 4:20cv-2104. But on July 18, the Fifth Circuit stayed the order of the U.S. District Court. In the Fifth Circuit the case is called In re Mayor Sylvester Turner, 20-20379. Thanks to Jim Riley for this news.