On May 6, the Ninth Circuit dismissed the lawsuit Citizens for Fair Representation v Newsom, 18-17458. This is the case filed in 2017 that argues the population of California legislative districts is so huge, ordinary residents of California have no realistic chance to communicate with their legislators. State Senate districts in California have over 1,000,000 residents; Assembly districts 500,000.

Here is the six-page opinion, which says none of the plaintiffs have standing. It will not be published. Thanks to Kevin Sabo for this news.

On May 19, U.S. District Court Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr., a Clinton appointee, issued an order easing certain requirements for Ohio initiatives to get on the ballot. Thompson v Devine, s.d., 2:20cv-2129. The order extends the petition deadline from July 1 to July 31. It allows electronic signatures. And it dispenses with the need for a witness signature from the circulator of the petition sheet. The relief only extends to the initiatives being circulated by the groups that brought the lawsuit.

This is the first federal court decision easing ballot access requirements for initiatives in connection with the current health crisis.

On May 19, the Maryland Green and Libertarian Parties filed a ballot access lawsuit. Maryland Green Party v Hogan, 1:20cv-1253. The parties ask for a suspension of the law that requires them to submit 10,000 signatures in order to regain their political party status. It suggests that in 2020, the petition be set at 1,000 signatures. The lawsuit is assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Ellen Hollander, an Obama appointee.

Here is the brief in support of injunctive relief. UPDATE: here is a news story about the lawsuit.