On April 25, a 3-judge U.S. District Court struck down some of Michigan’s U.S. House and legislative districts, because they were part of an unconstitutional partisan gerrymander by Republican legislators.  Here is the 146-page decision in League of Women Voters v Benson, e.d., 2:17cv-14148.

The decision is by Judge Eric Clay, a Clinton appointee.  It is also signed by Judge Denise Hood, a Clinton appointee; and Gordon Qust, a Bush Sr. appointee.  The decision says that new districts must be drawn up in time for the 2020 election.  Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link.

On April 25, both houses of the Iowa legislature passed HF 692 unanimously.  It is an omnibus election law bill.  It does not increase the number of signatures for independent candidates, or the nominees of unqualified parties.  But it does move the petition deadline, for all office except president, to mid-March.  The Iowa primary is in June, so the deadline change, if signed into law, would almost surely be held unconstitutional.  The U.S. Supreme Court has said the whole purpose of having procedures for independent candidates is to let voters find someone new to vote for, it the two major party nominees are displeasing to a significant segment of the voters.  This applies to all office, not just president.

Earlier this month there had been attempts to increase the number of signatures for independent candidates and the nominees of unqualified parties, but the Libertarian and Green Parties and the Iowa ACLU helped persuade legislators to abandon this idea.

On April 25, the Texas House Elections Committee passed HB 4416, by 6-3.  It makes it more difficult for a party to remain on the ballot.  Existing law says a party remains on if it polls at least 5% for any statewide race, or 2% for Governor.  The bill changes the 5% to 10%.

An earlier post said this bill had been defeated in committee, because it had been marked “left in committee.”  However, it was revived.