U.S. Supreme Court Dockets the Colorado “Faithless Electors” Case

The U.S. Supreme Court has docketed Colorado Department of State v Baca, one of the two pending lawsuits over whether presidential electors are free to vote for anyone who meets the constitutional qualifications. It is case 19-518. The cert petition was filed by the state last week. The response of the Colorado Democratic presidential electors who filed the original case is due November 20, 2019. It is likely that the electors’ response will also urge the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case. The Tenth Circuit had ruled against the state, and in favor of freedom for presidential electors. Thanks to Thomas Jones for the news about the docketing.

California Secretary of State Confirms that Three of the Six Qualified Parties Will Not Let Independent Voters Vote in Presidential Primary

On October 21, the California Secretary of State issued this press release, confirming that the Republican, Green, and Peace & Freedom Parties will not let independents vote in their 2020 primaries. The same three parties made the same decision in 2016.

The California Republican Party did let independents vote in its 2004 presidential primary, but in that primary, President George W. Bush was the only name on the Republican presidential primary ballot.

Canadian Voters Have Many Choices on October 21, 2019 Ballot for Parliament

Canada holds a parliamentary election on October 21, 2019, Monday. There are 338 seats in the House of Commons. There are a total of 2,146 candidates on the ballot for that office, so the average district has 6.3 candidates.

Four parties have candidates in all districts: Liberal, Conservative, New Democratic, and Green. Also the People’s Party has candidates in 315 districts.