U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit, Refuses to Reconsider Earlier Decision Giving Congress Power to See Trump Tax Returns

Posted on by November 14, 2019
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On November 13, the U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit, refused to reconsider its October 11, 2019 decision in Trump v Mazars USA, 19-5142. The November 13 decision was made by all the full-time judges of the D.C. Circuit. One Republican appointee voted with all the Democratic appointees; otherwise the vote was party-line.

This is the case on whether the U.S. House Committee on Oversight may subpoena President Trump’s tax returns. It should not be confused with the 2nd circuit opinion that said a New York prosecutor can obtain the tax returns from one of President Trump’s accountants.

Both opinions will be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

California Filing Period for All Partisan Office Closes on December 6

Posted on by November 14, 2019
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Any candidate who hopes to be on the November 2020 ballot for Congress or state legislature (which are the only partisan offices on the 2020 ballot other than President) must file by December 6, 2019. This is because the California primary for all office is in March 2020, and the top-two system does not provide any method for a candidate to get on the November ballot except by placing first or second in the primary.

The December 6 deadline is extended a few days for offices in which the incumbent does not file for re-election.

Arkansas Democrat Running for U.S. Senate Withdraws

Posted on by November 14, 2019
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Josh Mahony, the only Democrat who filed to run for U.S. Senate in Arkansas in 2020, withdrew, after the filing deadline had passed. See this story. If the Democratic Party is not permitted to replace him, the only candidates on the November ballot with be the Republican incumbent and the Libertarian nominee. UPDATE: there is also an independent candidate, Dan Whitfield, who expects to collect the needed 10,000 signatures by the May 1 petition deadline. The law does not permit him to start collecting until January 1, 2020, and then he has 90 days to get his signatures.