Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Will Hear Ballot Access Case on Thursday, April 16

Posted on by April 10, 2020
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The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court will hear oral arguments by phone at 2 p.m., Thursday, April 16, in Goldstein v Galvin.  This is the case that asks for relief for primary petitions.  The Court wants both sides to discuss electronic signatures.  However, that seems impractical, because the primary petitions for state legislature are due April 28, and it takes time to set up procedures for something so new to Massachusetts.  The plaintiffs, who are Democrats and Republicans, want a cut in the number of signatures, and/or more time.  The primary is not until September 1.

The Governor of Massachusetts, Charlie Baker, favors relief, but the Secretary of State and Democratic leadership in the House do not.  The leader of the State Senate does favor relief.  A bill for relief, HD 4981, has not made any headway.

Illinois Petition Cases Expedited

Posted on by April 10, 2020
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Both Illinois cases concerning petitioning during the health crisis are being expedited.  Libertarian Party of Illinois v Pritzker, n.d., 1:20cv-2112, will have a hearing on April 17.  That is the case in which the Libertarian and Green Parties ask that petitioning for themselves, and other minor parties and independent candidates, be waived.  A new judge has been assigned to the case, Judge Robert M. Dow, a Bush Jr. appointee.

Morgan v White, n.d., 1:20cv-2189, will also have a hearing on April 17.  This is the case over relaxing the requirements for initiative petitions.  It also has a new judge, Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer, a Clinton appointee.  Thanks to Sam Cahnman for that news.

New Hampshire State Trial Court Strikes Down 2017 Voter Registration Law

Posted on by April 9, 2020
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On April 9, a New Hampshire state trial court struck down a 2017 law that changed voter registration procedures.  The law required persons who registered at the polls to sign a statement, saying they would furnish proof of residence within 10 days.  If they did not, they could be fined several thousand dollars.  League of Women Voters of New Hampshire v Gardner, 226-2017-cv-433.

Here is the decision.  Thanks to Darryl Perry for the link.

Minnesota Libertarian Party Files Brief in Ballot Access Case

Posted on by April 9, 2020
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On April 7, the Minnesota Libertarian Party filed this brief in its ballot access lawsuit, Libertarian Party of Minnesota v Choi, 0:19cv-2312.  It attacks the law that says independent and minor party candidate petitions must include language saying the signer doesn’t intend to vote for that same office in the upcoming primary.  It also attacks the law that says independent and minor party candidate petitions must be completed in only two weeks.