New York State Court Hears Arguments in Whether Legislature Can Delegate Ballot Access Law Changes to a Commission

On December 12, a state supreme court judge in Niagara County heard arguments in Hurley v Public Campaign Financing & Election Commission, and Jastrzemski v Public Campaign Financing & Election Commission. These are the two similar lawsuits that argue the New York legislature cannot delegate to a commission the power to revise the ballot access laws. The Hurley case was filed by the Working Families Party and is case E169547-2019. The Jastrzemski case was filed by the Conservative Party and is E169561-2019.

Here is a news story about the hearing. Thanks to Jim Riley for the link. UPDATE: also see this Buffalo News story.

U.S. District Court Rules that Constitution Requires American Samoans to have Birthright Citizenship

On December 12, U.S. District Court Judge Clark Waddoups, a Bush Jr. appointee, ruled that persons born in American Samoa cannot be deprived of birthright citizenship. Here is the 69-page opinion in Fitisemanu v USA, 1:18cv-36. The case is in Utah because the plaintiffs live in Utah. This is the first time a court had ruled this way in a case on this issue. Thanks to Thomas Jones for this news.