The California Democratic Party, and the California Libertarian Party, have told the Secretary of State that they will allow independents to vote in their 2020 presidential primary. The American Independent Party had already made a similar decision.

The deadline for California parties to make this decision is Friday, October 18. It appears that the Republican, Green, and Peace & Freedom Parties will not invite independents to vote in their presidential primary. Thus the 2020 decisions mirror their 2016 decisions. Thanks to Mark Seidenberg for this news.

The California Supreme Court will hear oral argument in Patterson v Padilla on November 6, at 9 a.m., in Sacramento. This is the case on whether the California Constitution prevents the state from requiring presidential candidates to reveal their tax returns, if they want to be on a presidential primary ballot.

Although a U.S. District Court already enjoined the law on federal constitutional grounds, the state is appealing the federal case. The State Supreme Court case is based on the state constitution.

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.