The Sarasota Herald-tribune has this op-ed by the chair of the Florida Republican Party about the top-two initiative that is likely to qualify for the Florida 2020 ballot. State Senator Joe Gruters correctly points out that the top-two initiative is not an initiative for an “open primary.” He also says that while proponents claim their initiative would promote centrist politics, that has not happened in California, which continues to have the most polarized legislature in the nation after nine years of the top-two system.

On October 1, two voters affiliated with the South Carolina Republican Party filed a lawsuit in state court against the state Republican Party. The party executive committee cancelled the presidential primary on September 7. The lawsuit points out that the state party rules clearly say that only the state convention can make that decision. See this story. Thanks to Political Wire for the link.

UPDATE: the case is Inglis v South Carolina Republican Party, filed in the Richland County Court of Common Pleas, 5th jud. circuit.

On September 29, Austria held an election for its Parliament, which is called the National Council. Here is the wikipedia article. Thirteen parties participated, and five of them won seats under the proportional representation system.