On October 1, an Iowa state trial court struck down parts of a 2017 law that requires voters to show ID at the polls. The law had provided that Iowans with a state drivers license or state ID card could automatically obtain a special voter card that would allow them to vote, if they showed that card. But the law said Iowans without a drivers license or state ID card could not obtain the special voter card automatically. The ruling says that all currently registered voters may obtain the special voter card automatically. Here is the opinion in League of United Latin American Citizens of Iowa v Pate, Polk Co., cv-05643.

On September 27, the final brief was filed in Gill v Scholz in the Seventh Circuit. This is the case that challenges the 5% (of the last vote cast) petition for U.S. House candidates in the general election. The U.S. District Court had enjoined the law and allowed the plaintiff, independent candidate David Gill, to be on the ballot in 2016. Then the Seventh Circuit countermanded the relief with a single sentence, but did not explain why. After the election, the case was re-assigned to another U.S. District Court Judge, who upheld the 5% petition. Now the case is in the Seventh Circuit.

Montana Governor Steve Bullock is one of the lesser-known candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination. This story says he will apply for primary season matching funds. He hasn’t filed yet, however. He is the only person running for president, other than Howie Hawkins of the Green Party, who intends to file. Most presidential candidates nowadays don’t file for primary season matching funds because they then face limits on how much money they can spend in each state. Thanks to Political Wire for the link.