California Governor’s Web Page Makes it Easy to Comment on Presidential Tax Returns Bill

Posted on by July 25, 2019
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California Governor Gavin Newsom’s web page makes it easy for anyone to comment on SB 27, the bill to keep presidential candidates off a presidential primary ballot if they don’t release income tax returns. The web page has a place for comments, and one can choose a list of 27 particular State Senate bills, of which SB 27 is one.

See here. Then in the “Please choose your subject” box, scroll down below the list of generic topics, and find the numerical list of Assembly bills, and then Senate bills. Choose SB 27. I have just sent a comment that California Constitution, Article II, sec. 5(e), tells the Secretary of State to put all “recognized” presidential candidates on the presidential primary ballots. None of the analyses of SB 27 in any legislative committee even mentioned this part of the California Constitution, and newspaper editorials and stories likewise almost never mention it.

Governor Newsom must act by July 30. On July 24, while visiting Sanger in Fresno County to sign a bill for a fund to help communities fund improved water quality, he was asked about SB 27. He said he is still consulting legal experts. Thanks to Politico for that news.

Georgia Oral Argument on Vote-Counting Machines Begins on Thursday, July 25

Posted on by July 25, 2019
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Oral arguments began on July 25, Thursday, in U.S. District Court in Atlanta in Curling v Raffensperger, n.d., 1:17cv-2989. The issue is whether Georgia’s continuing use of vote-counting machines with no paper trail violates the U.S. Constitution. At stake is whether the machines will be enjoined for use in the autumn 2019 local elections. This case is two years old. Judge Amy Totenberg already ruled last year that the old machines could be used in the 2018 election.

Georgia says it will buy new machines in time for the 2020 election. Plaintiffs doubt that the new machines will be adequate, and also doubt that they will really be ready in time for the 2020 election.

Wisconsin Bill on Presidential Tax Returns and Ballot

Posted on by July 25, 2019
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Two Wisconsin legislators are about to introduce a bill to bar presidential candidates from both the primary and general election ballots if they don’t reveal the last three years of their federal income tax returns. The draft is being circulated among legislators, seeking co-sponsors. It will probably be introduced in early August. The main sponsors will be State Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) and Representative David Crowley (D-Milwaukee). It is not known if the bill will bar write-in candidates.

The Wisconsin legislature has a Republican majority in each house, so the bill is not likely to pass. The Wisconsin legislature meets all year.

Maine Greens Will Attempt to Qualify a U.S. Senate Candidate in 2020

Posted on by July 25, 2019
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The Maine Green Party is ballot-qualified, and must nominate all its candidates in its own primary. It is so difficult for small qualified parties in Maine to get candidates on their own party’s primary ballot, the Green Party has never been able to get anyone on the ballot for either house of congress, in years when it was qualified. However, in 2020, David Gibson will try to run for U.S. Senate. See this story.

The Maine 2020 U.S. Senate election will use ranked choice voting. The 2018 U.S. Senate race also used ranked choice voting, but it was moot, because Angus King received a majority of first-choice votes. Thanks to the commentator for this correction.