On April 4, 2018, the Alaska Supreme Court issued an order in State v Alaska Democratic Party, S-16875, letting the Democratic Party nominate persons who are registered independents. On August 24, the court issued a 24-page opinion, giving its rationale.

The key is that the Alaska Democratic Party had amended its bylaws last year to let registered independents run in its primary. The decision says that a party’s bylaws override state election law on this point. The decision is unanimous. Back on April 4, 2018, one justice had written that he hadn’t yet made up his mind, but now it appears he agrees with the majority. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link.

Other courts that have ruled that parties may nominate a non-member if they wish include a U.S. District Court in New Mexico, and a state court in Colorado. The Alaska Supreme Court decision does not mention either of those precedents.

The Independent Party of Connecticut held its statewide nominating convention on Sunday, August 26. It nominated the entire Republican slate for statewide office, so those individuals will be listed twice on the November ballot, and voters who want to vote for them can do so either on the Republican line or the Independent Party line. See this story.

ABC News writer Roey Hadar has this revealing article on how Florida Governors have utter discretion to decide which ex-felons may have their voting rights restored, and which may not. He uses an example of an applicant who had voted illegally, but who told the Governor at the clemency hearing that he had voted for the Governor. The Governor laughed and then restored his voting rights. In another example, an applicant was denied because the Governor was dismayed that he had received traffic tickets.