The New York Libertarian Party has issued this press release, criticizing the state Commission on Public Financing for proposing to eliminate all of the state’s ballot-qualified minor parties except for the Conservative Party.
4
On November 6, U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Watson issued an opinion in Mays v LaRose, s.d., 2:18cv-1376. He said that Ohio must give the same absentee ballot deadline to persons imprisoned (but not yet convicted), that it gives to persons who are confined to a hospital. See this story.
Persons confined to a hospital have until 3 p.m. on election day to file for an absentee ballot, but others must do so by the Saturday before the election. In November 2018 the lawsuit was filed on behalf of persons who are unexpectedly arrested after the absentee ballot deadline. They argued that if the state can have a later deadline for people who unexpectedly end up in the hospital shortly before the election, the state should give prisoners the same treatment. The judge agreed and also certified the case as a class action. The state is appealing to the Sixth Circuit. In the Sixth Circuit, the case is 19-4112.
On November 26, the Florida Republican Party put four presidential candidates on its presidential primary ballot: President Trump, Bill Weld, Rocky De La Fuente, and Joe Walsh.
No one can be on that ballot without the state party’s permission. The other two states with that rule are Georgia and Minnesota. So far the Minnesota Republican Party has not put anyone on except President Trump.
In Florida, where only large qualified parties have their own presidential primary, the only way for a presidential candidate to get on a presidential primary ballot is by permission of the party. The Florida Democratic Party wants 18 candidates on its primary ballot. See this Politico story.
The Republican Party hasn’t submitted its list yet. It is due November 30.
On November 25, U.S. District Court Judge Janet T. Neff, a Bush Jr. appointee, refused to enjoin the new Michigan nonpartisan commission on redistricting. The commission had been attacked by leaders of the Republican Party. Here is the 46-page opinion in Daunt v Benson, w.d., 1:19cv-669. Thanks to Thomas Jones for this news.