North Carolina Parties Tell State Board of Elections Which Presidential Candidates to List on Primary Ballots

The North Carolina deadline for qualified parties to tell the state which presidential candidates to list on primary ballots has passed. However, the State Board of Elections has the power to add the names of any presidential candidates who weren’t already listed by their party, so the list is not yet complete. Also anyone who submits 10,000 signatures of party members can be added.

The Republican Party submitted only Donald J. Trump.

The Democratic Party submitted 15 names: Michael Bennet, Joseph R. Biden, Michael R. Bloomberg, Cory Booker, Pete Buttigieg, Julian Castro, John K. Delaney, Tulsi Gabbard, Amy Klobuchar, Deral Patrick, Bernie Sanders, Tom Steyer, Elizabeth Warren, Marianne Williamson, and Andrew Yang.

The Libertarian Party submitted 16 names: Max Abramson, Ken Armstrong, Dan Taxation is Theft Behrman, Kenneth Blevins, Souraya Faas, Erik Gerhardt, Jedidiah Hill, Jacob Hornberger, Jo Jorgenson, Adam Kokesh, John McAfee, James Ogle, Steve Richey, Kim Ruff, Vermin Supreme, and Arvin Vohra.

The Green Party submitted only Howie Hawkins.

The Constitution Party submitted Don Blankenship and Charles Kraut. Thanks to Donald Triplett for this news.

Colorado Files Reply Brief in U.S. Supreme Court in Presidential Elector Lawsuit

On December 4, Colorado filed this Reply brief in Colorado Dept. of State v Baca, 19-518. This is the case over whether presidential electors are free to vote for any qualified candidate when they cast a vote in the electoral college. It is somewhat odd that Colorado felt the need to file a reply brief, because both sides want the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case. Since the whole purpose of the briefs at this state concern whether the Court should hear the case, one would think there is no need for a Reply brief.

But Colorado wanted to again say that the case should revolve on whether the Democratic “disobedient” electors who brought the case had standing.

Fifth Circuit Holds Oral Argument in Mississippi Ex-Felon Disenfranchisement Lawsuit

On December 3, the Fifth Circuit heard argument in Hopkins v Hosemann, 19-60678. The issue is the Mississippi Constitution’s provision that bars ex-felons from registering to vote, unless the Governor restores their voting rights. The three judges were Edith Jones, a Reagan appointee who appeared hostile to the plaintiffs; Carolyn Dineen King, a Carter appointee; and James L. Dennis, a Clinton appointee. See this story.

Arizona Democrats File Scathing Response to Secretary of State’s Request for a 3-Month Delay in Lawsuit over Ballot Order

On December 3, the plaintiffs in Mecinas v Hobbs, 2:19cv-5547, filed this scathing criticism of the Arizona Secretary of State for requesting a delay of 90 days in the case. This is the lawsuit over the Arizona law that says the nominees of the party that won the last gubernatorial election are always listed first on the ballot.

The brief recounts the history of several other election law litigation in Arizona, and says the state has a pattern of trying to stall such cases. The brief asks the court not to grant the 3-month delay. Arizona has a Democratic Secretary of State, but a Republican Attorney General.