The District of Columbia is somewhat likely to move its presidential primary from June to April, although there is no bill yet to make that change. Councilman Jack Evans is seeking the support of the D.C. Democratic Party for the idea. The party will consider the idea in March. Thanks to Frontloading HQ for this news.
Ballot Access News
January 1, 2019 – Volume 34, Number 8
| This issue was printed on white paper. |
Table of Contents
On February 6, the Hawaii House Judiciary Committee passed HB 712. It says no presidential candidate may be listed on the November ballot unless he or she has release income tax returns. It also says no presidential elector may vote for anyone in the electoral college if that presidential candidate has not released his or her tax returns.
On February 6, the Hawaii House Judiciary Committee defeated two bills for a top-two system. HB 1588 would have implemented a top-two system similar to what California and Washington use. HB 1589 would have implemented the kind of top-two system that Louisiana used before it was invalidated in 1997 by the U.S. Supreme Court in Foster v Love. Both bills were sponsored by Representative Sylvia Luke (D-Honolulu).
There is also a top-two bill in the Senate, SB 954, but it has not been scheduled for a hearing.
On February 7, the New Mexico Supreme Court issued a 28-page opinion in Unite New Mexico v Toulouse Oliver, SC37227, the case over whether the Secretary of State had the authority to put a straight-ticket device on the 2018 ballot. On September 12, the Court had ruled that she did not have that authority. At the time, it said it would explain its reasoning later. That explanation has now been issued. See it here. Thanks to A. Blair Dunn for the news.
