On September 14, four of the five Missouri U.S. Senate candidates who are on the ballot participated in a televised debate. See this story. The four candidates who participated were incumbent Democrat Claire McCaskill, Republican Josh Hawley, Green Party nominee Jo Crain, and independent Craig O’Dear. It appears the Libertarian Party nominee, Japheth Campbell, was invited but chose not to attend. Thanks to Ken Bush for the link.
On September 14, a Missouri state trial court in Jefferson City removed a statewide initiative from the ballot, on the grounds that it improperly violates the single subject rule. The initiative deals with campaign finance law, gifts from lobbyists to state legislators, legislative redistricting, and access to legislative records. Everyone agrees that it had enough valid signatures. See this story. Proponents will appeal.
When California voted on whether to use a top-two primary in November 2004, and again in June 2010, political consultants were largely very much in favor. Now, however, a California Target Book poll of political consultants shows that more consultants dislike the system than like it. “Has the top-two system had a mostly positive or negative impact on the state?” was the question. “Negative” received 35.6%. “Positive” received 24.4%. “Both” received 37.8%. “Unsure” received 2.2%. See this Calmatters story about the poll. Thanks to Around the Capitol for the link.
On Monday, September 17, U.S. District Court Judge Edmund Sargus, a Clinton appointee, will hear Schmitt v Husted, s.d., 2:18cv-966. This is the case over whether Ohio election officials have the power to decide on their own that they will not put an initiative on the ballot because they feel the subject matter is inappropriate for an initiative. The case arose when Portage County officials rejected an initiative relating to marijuana. Portage County can’t print its ballots until this case is settled.
Here is the final brief in the case, filed by the plaintiffs in response to the government’s brief.
According to this story, West Virginia can’t begin printing ballots until two pending lawsuits are settled in the State Supreme Court. They involve challenges to candidates for the State Supreme Court.
