The Maryland Libertarian Party has filed a notice of appeal to the 4th circuit in Johnston v Lamone. 19-1783. This is the case that argues that it is redundant for the state to require the party to file 10,000 signatures in order to get back on the ballot, when the party has over 22,000 registered members. The U.S. District Court had upheld the law on the grounds that, for all anyone knows, the Libertarian registrants registered in the party long ago and no longer support the party, but retain their Libertarian registration because of inertia. There is no evidence in the case to support that conclusion; it is mere speculation.

Virginia Republican delegate Nick Freitas, who wants to run for re-election in the legislative election of November 2019, is off the ballot due to having filed his candidacy paperwork in the wrong office. On August 2 the Virginia State Board of Elections turned down his appeal.

This story says he may be a write-in candidate in November. In 1989, a legislator was elected to the Virginia legislature by write-ins at the general election. Thanks to Daniel Sachs for this news.

On August 1, U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols set a new hearing date of August 29 in President Trump’s lawsuit against the U.S. House Ways & Means Committee and the state of New York. In the meantime, the state is ordered not to turn over the state income tax return. On August 29, New York will argue that this case cannot bind it, because it is filed in the District of Columbia. New York says the case should have been filed in New York state. Here is the order. Thanks to Thomas Jones for this news.