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.
On March 14, an important vote occurred in the U.S. Senate on whether to disapprove of President Trump’s declaration of emergency spending on a border wall. There are 53 Republicans. Twelve of them (22.6%) voted against President Trump.
Advocates of open primaries are constantly saying that open primaries produce more moderate office-holders. However, Republicans nominated in closed primary states were approximately twice as likely to vote against the President, than Republicans nominated in primaries in which independent voters may participate.
Fifteen Republican Senators are elected in states in which the Republican primary is closed. Of those 15, 6 voted against President Trump, or 40.0%.
Fourteen Republican Senators are elected in states in which the Republican primary is semi-closed. Of those 14, two voted against President Trump, or 14.3%.
Twenty-four Republican Senators are elected in states in which the Republican primary is open. Of those 24, four voted against President Trump, or 16.7%.
