The Massachusetts Republican Party recently changed the 2016 presidential primary rules, from the proportional system that was used to award delegates in 2016, to a system in which a candidate who polls at least 50% gets all the delegates. See this Politico story.
The Georgia Supreme Court will hear oral argument on May 7 in a case that challenges the accuracy of the November 2018 vote for Georgia Lieutenant Governor. See this story.
New York is unique in the nation in not letting voters switch parties during the year before a general election. This article in Gothamist sets forth the progress of activism to ameliorate the party-switching deadline.
Before the Florida legislature adjourned, it amended the omnibus election law bill, SB 7066, to it more difficult for many ex-felons to register to vote. The amendment says they cannot register until they have paid all court costs, fines, and restitution. This article explains all the administrative problems that the amendment causes. Governor Ron DeSantis hasn’t signed the bill yet.
Just before adjourning, the Florida legislature passed an omnibus election law bill, SB 7066. It moves the non-presidential primary from ten weeks before the general election, to eleven weeks before. Therefore, assuming the Governor signs the bill, the 2020 primary will be August 18, not August 25.
The bill also alters the prohibited zone at the polls for persons engaging in First Amendment activity. The old law required petitioners, canvassers, and pamphleteers to stand at least 100 feet from the entrance to a polling place. The bill changes that to 150 feet. It is conceivable that this change could be held unconstitutional.
The bill also legalizes the practice of a voter photographing his or her own voted ballot.
