New London, Connecticut, Green Nominee for Mayor Included in Debate Even Though She is a Write-in Candidate

Posted on by October 16, 2019
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New London, Connecticut, holds a mayoral election on November 5, 2019. The election is partisan. There are three candidates, including Green Party nominee Frida Berrigan. The New London League of Women Voters sponsored a mayoral debate and invited Berrigan, even though she is not on the ballot; instead she is a declared write-in candidate. See this story.

She had enough valid signatures, but some of the paperwork sent to the election authorities was lost in the postal mail, so she lost her spot on the ballot.

Willie Wilson, a Democratic Presidential Candidate in 2016, Loses Lawsuit Against the Democratic National Committee

Posted on by October 16, 2019
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On September 27, U.S. District Court Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump appointee, ruled against Willie Wilson in his lawsuit against the Democratic National Committee. Wilson v DNC Services, D.C., 1:17cv-730. Here is the opinion.

Wilson was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016. He sued the national Democratic Party because it refused to give him the party’s national voter list. The party only gave the list to Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, based on the party’s belief that only those two candidates were likely to make a strong showing for the party’s nomination. The opinion says the party was free to make that decision.

Wilson also sued because at a campaign event before the South Carolina Democratic primary, he was blocked from the stage by the Secret Service. The opinion says that even though the Hillary Clinton campaign may have influenced the Secret Service to do this, that is not the fault of the Democratic National Committee.

U.S. Supreme Court Puts Alaska Campaign Donation Limit on November 1 Conference

Posted on by October 16, 2019
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The U.S. Supreme Court will consider whether to hear Thompson v Hebdon, 19-122, at its November 1 conference. This is the case that challenges Alaska’s campaign finance limits. No one may contribute more than $500 to a candidate for state or local office, nor to a political party. The Ninth Circuit had upheld those limits.

Here is the reply brief filed by the opponents of the limits.

U.S. District Court Will Hear Part of Texas Ballot Access Case on October 31

Posted on by October 15, 2019
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U.S. District Court Judge Robert Pitman will hear part of Miller v Hughes on Thursday, October 31. This is the Texas ballot access case filed by several minor parties earlier this year. The hearing will only be concerned with whether the new law on filing fees for convention parties should be enjoined for the 2020 election. It will be at 9 a.m. in Austin.