New Nevada Registration Tally

Posted on by February 11, 2020
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The Nevada Secretary of State has posted registration data for the end of January 2020. The new percentages are: Democratic 38.14%; Republican 32.94%; Independent American 4.45%; Libertarian 1.01%; Green .14%; other and independent 23.32%.

In October 2018, the percentages were: Democratic 38.32%; Republican 33.52%; Independent American 4.33%; Libertarian 1.00%; Green .18%; other and independent 22.65%.

The Green Party is not on the ballot but the state still keeps a tally of its registered members. However the Green Party data is not shown on the Secretary of State’s web page.

Utah Bill to Help Independent Candidates Passes Senate Committee Unanimously

Posted on by February 11, 2020
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On February 6, the Utah Senate Government Operations & Political Subdivisions Committee passed SB 28 unanimously. It deletes a law that says the ballot label for independent candidates must include a clause that says the independent is “not qualified” to be a party nominee. The only independent candidate in Utah in 2018, a legislative candidate, learned that voters misunderstood that clause and that they seemed to think the ballot was saying she was not qualified for the office. She filed a federal lawsuit, but the state asked that the lawsuit be held in suspense until the 2020 legislature has a chance to repeal the clause.

Oregon Bill to Ease Definition of Qualified Party Passes House Rules Committee Unanimously

Posted on by February 11, 2020
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On February 11, the Oregon House Rules Committee passed HB 4026 by 6-0. As amended, it lowers the registration test for a party to remain on the ballot from one-half of 1% of the registered voters, to one-fourth of 1% of the registered voters.

The bill has no impact on the alternate vote test, which is 1% of the vote for any statewide race at either of the last two elections.

The bill will help the Working Families Party to remain on the ballot. Generally WFP doesn’t have any statewide nominees, except for nominees who are also Democratic Party nominees. Because fusion in Oregon is aggregated, this means the Working Families nominees don’t receive a vote total just under the Working Families label. Therefore the alternate vote test is of no help to the Working Families Party, so the party needs to pass the registration test instead.

Fifth Circuit Hears Arguments in At-Large Texas Presidential Electors Case

Posted on by February 11, 2020
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On February 6, the Fifth Circuit heard oral argument in League of United Latin American Citizens of Texas v Abbott, 19-50214. This the case that challenges the at-large election of presidential electors in Texas. The three judges are: William E. Davis, a Reagan appointee; Jerry E. Smith, a Reagan appointee; and Carl E. Stewart, a Clinton appointee.

Here is a link to the oral argument, which lasted 31 minutes. The recording is quite faint.

Ninth Circuit Sets Oral Argument Date in Case Over At-Large Election for California Presidential Electors

Posted on by February 11, 2020
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The Ninth Circuit will hear Rodriguez v Brown, 18-56281, on March 3, Tuesday, in Pasadena. This is the case that challenges California’s practice of electing all its presidential electors on an at-large basis. There are three similar cases pending in Massachusetts, South Carolina, and Texas. Plaintiffs lost all four cases in U.S. District Courts, and so far there are no U.S. Court of Appeals decisions in any of these cases.