In September 1999, the national convention of the U.S. Taxpayers Party changed its name to the Constitution Party. Every state affiliate then asked its state election officials to recognize its new name, except that the Nevada and California affiliates preferred to keep their old name.

All states then let the party change its name, except for Michigan, where the Secretary of State refused. On March 23, the Michigan affiliate again asked the Secretary of State to update its name to the Constitution Party.

Other states that have let qualified parties change their name (even though they have no law on that subject) include Alabama in 1979, Alaska in 1972, Hawaii in 1978, Idaho in 2000, Kansas in 1972, Massachusetts in 1991, Missouri in 2000, New Mexico in 1979, Oregon in 1996, Pennsylvania in 1993, South Carolina in 2000.

A few states have laws on this subject, permitting name changes: Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, and Wisconsin (New Mexico didn’t have such a law when it permitted a name change in 1979).

On March 25, the Hawaii Democratic Party released its plan for the 2020 presidential selection process. The plan goes for the party to hold its own presidential primary on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Although the party’s polls will close that day at 3 p.m., the party will also arrange for early voting. See Josh Putnam’s description here.

On Tuesday, March 26, the U.S. Supreme Court heard the two partisan gerrymander cases, from North Carolina and Maryland. The North Carolina case, Rucho v Common Cause, was argued at 10 a.m. and lasted 70 minutes. The Maryland case, Benisek v Lamone, followed and as this post is being written, is still underway. There should be a great deal of news about the two hearings available from the general media, very soon.