“America Goes to the Polls 2018”, a 40-page comprehensive study of turnout in the 2018 election, has been published. It shows that Minnesota had the highest turnout, and Hawaii had the lowest turnout. The U.S. Elections Project and Nonprofit Vote are responsible for this valuable resource. The founder of U.S. Elections Project, Professor Michael McDonald, is the leading authority on U.S. voter turnout.
Dario Hunter, an announced candidate for the 2020 Green Party presidential nomination, has been fired from his job as a rabbi. His employer was not clear about the reason, but it appears to either relate to his criticism of Israel, or to the fact that he is running for President. See this story.
On March 15, the Fifth Circuit upheld the order of a U.S. District Court, ordering Mississippi to redraw the boundaries of two State Senate districts. The original redistricting had been judged to be racially discriminatory. However, the Fifth Circuit gave the state legislature a last chance to redraw the districts itself.
The Fifth Circuit also reopened the candidate filing period, for candidates for State Senate in any district whose boundaries change. The new deadline is April 12. Mississippi elects all its state officers in November this year. The vote was 2-1. Here is the order in Thomas v Bryant, 19-60133. Thanks to Michael Drucker for the link.
On the evening of March 14, the New Mexico legislature passed SB 672. It provides for automatic voter registration, in which each adult citizen known to exist is automatically registered. The individual is then informed and is free to decline. Also the bill allows voters to register at the polls on election day. However, no one can change parties during the 28 days before any primary. See this story. Thanks to Rick Lass for this news.
Six Vermont representatives have introduced HB 444. It provides for ranked choice voting for all non-presidential primaries, and also in general elections for Congress. Thanks to Mike Drucker for this news.
