ACLU and League of Women Voters File Amicus Curiae Brief in U.S. Supreme Court Case on Whether Candidates Have Standing to Challenge Election Laws

As reported earlier, the U.S. Supreme Court will be hearing a case on October 8 on whether candidates have standing to challenge an Illinois election law allowing mail ballots to arrive by three weeks after election day. Bost v Illinois State Board of Elections, 24-568. The American Civil Liberties Union and the national League of Women Voters have filed an amicus curiae brief on the side of the candidates, The amicus brief argues in favor of standing. Read it here.

It is notable when the ACLU and the League of Women Voters take a position in an election law case that, from a partisan viewpoint, is on the Republican side. This case should not be a partisan case. But when one sees the list of organizations that have filed amici on either side, it is clear that it become a partisan case. The Republican National Senatorial and Congressional Committees, and the federal government, have filed on the side of the plaintiffs, i.e., on the side of recognizing standing. On the other hand, the Democratic Party of Illinois, and seventeen states with Democratic Attorneys General, have filed on the other side.

Missouri Legislative Committee Passes Bill to Require Constitutional Initiatives to Receive a Majority in All Eight U.S. House Districts

The Missouri legislature is in special session. On September 4 the House Elections Committee passed HJR 3. It would amend the State Constitution to say that an initiative to change the state constitution cannot take effect unless it receives a majority in all eight U.S. House districts.

Also on September 4, the special committee on redistricting passed HB 1, which draws new U.S. House district boundaries.

Both bills passed on a party-line vote, with all Republicans voting in favor and all Democrats opposed.

If HJR 3 passes the legislature, the voters will vote on it.