On August 26, the Third Circuit issued an opinion in Eakin v Adams County Board of Elections, 25-1644. It strikes down the Pennsylvania law that says voters who use postal ballots must date the outer envelope. The decision says there is no need for this law, because when a postal ballot is received in the elections office, the ballot is scanned and the date of receipt is recorded. The decision is written by Judge D. Brooks Smith (a Bush Jr. appointee) and signed by Judges Patty Shwartz (Obama), Arianna J. Freeman (Biden).

On August 25, U.S. District Court Judge Maxine Chesney set a zoom status conference for Peace & Freedom Party v Weber, 3:24cv-8308. This is the lawsuit filed by several California minor parties against the top-two system. The status conference is on October 24, at 10:30 a.m. Anyone is free to watch from their own electronic device.

As already noted, on August 14, the Fifth Circuit agreed with a lower court that Louisiana’s legislative district boundaries violate the federal Voting Rights Act. Nairne v Landry, 24-30115. On August 15, the state asked for a stay.

On August 19, the groups that brought the lawsuit filed this brief, arguing against a stay. They mention that the next legislative elections in Louisiana are in 2027, and that if an indefinite stay is issued, chances of new districts being in place for the 2027 are threatened.