New Texas Ballot Access Case Assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Robert Pitman

The new Texas ballot access case Collier v Nelson, w.d., 1:26cv-1574, has been assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Robert Pitman, an Obama appointee. This is the lawsuit that challenges the independent petition collection period of only 30 days, in races in which there had been a primary run-0ff.

UPDATE: also see this Texas Tribune story about the lawsuit.

New Jersey Bill for a Later Primary

On June 11, New Jersey State Senator Brian Stack, a Democrat, introduced SB 4445. It would move all primaries from the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June, to the second Tuesday after the first Monday in June. If enacted, it would automatically extend the petition deadline for non-presidential minor party and independent candidates by a week.

Iowa Removes Libertarians from Ballot for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and U.S. House

On June 15, Iowa state officials removed three Libertarians from the ballot. They include the party’s nominees for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and U.S. House in one district. See this story.

No one questioned the validity of the signatures. Approximately 8,000 had been gathered for the ticket of Governor and Lieutenant Governor. The candidates expect to sue to reverse the decision.

The party is on for one other U.S. House seat, and for U.S. Senate.