On October 29, the Republican Party submitted this Reply brief in National Republican Senatorial Committee v Federal Election Commission, 24-621. This is the lawsuit that challenged the federal campaign finance law that restricts how much money parties can spend on their own nominees, assuming the party and the nominee are coordinating strategy with each other.
This is an unusual case because both the plaintiff and the defendant believe the law is unconstitutional.
A poll published October 28 by the London Times shows that no party in Britain has as much as 30% of the electorate. It shows the following percentages for party support: Reform 27%, Labour 17%, Conservative 17%, Green 17%, Liberal Democrats 15%.
See this commentary about this poll, and why Britain should switch to proportional representation. It is by Darren Hughes, head of the Electoral Reform Society of Great Britaiin.
On October 31, an Arkansas state trial court ruled that the special election for state House District 70 must be held sooner than June 9, 2026. The seat has been vacant since September 30, due to a resignation. Democratic Party of Arkansas v Sanders, 60cv-25-12782. This is the second such lawsuit the Governor has lost. The two opinions were by different judges. See this story.
On October 31, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed AB 149, which makes it easier for a qualified party to nominate a slate of candidates for presidential elector. He also signed AB 35, which establishes a procedure for independent candidates to withdraw. See this press release from the Governor.
Texas holds a special election on November 4 to fill the vacancy in the 18th U.S. House district. Sixteen candidates are on the ballot. Candidates need either a filing fee of $3,125, or 500 signatures to get on the ballot in Texas. Here is the candidate list.
There are no party nominees. Seven Democrats, five Republicans, two independents, one Green, and one American Solidarity candidate are on the ballot (she is Reyna Anderson, and her ballot label is “independent.”) If no one gets 50% there will be a run-off.
On the same day, Texas is holding a special election to fill the vacancy in the Ninth State Senate district. That race has two Republicans and a Democrat.
