Colorado Nonpartisan Redistricting Proposals Allow All Registered Voters to Serve as Commissioners, Except Members of Minor Parties

Posted on by August 31, 2018
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The Colorado legislature has placed two ballot measures for nonpartisan redistricting commissions on the November ballot. One is for U.S. House districts, and one is for legislative districts. They require membership of four Democrats, four Republicans, and four individuals who are not members of any party. Thus the only members of the public who could not possibly serve on the commissions are members of parties other than the Democratic and Republican Parties. See this Reason.com blog post. Thanks to Walter Ziobro for the link.

Michigan Secretary of State Fails to Persuade U.S. District Court to Stay its Order in Chris Graveline Ballot Access Case

Posted on by August 31, 2018
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On August 30, U.S. District Court Victoria Roberts refused to stay her own opinion in Graveline v Johnson, 2:18cv-12354. On August 27, the judge had put independent candidate Chris Graveline on the ballot for Attorney General as an independent, provided he has at least 5,000 valid signatures on his petition. He submitted over 14,000, so it is likely he does have at least 5,000 valid.

The state wanted a stay because it said it will have difficulty checking the petition. The state has also filed a notice to the Sixth Circuit, to reverse the U.S. District Court. In the Sixth Circuit, the case is number 18-1992.

Michigan Board of State Canvassers Finalizes Ballot Description of Non-Partisan Redistricting Initiative

Posted on by August 31, 2018
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On August 31, the Michigan Board of State Canvassers decided on the wording of the initiative for a nonpartisan redistricting commission. The initiative proposes a board of four Republicans, four Democrats, and five individuals who are not members of either of those parties. The opponents of the initiative wanted it to be labeled on the ballot as a “majority partisan commission”, but the Board voted to call it a “commission of citizens.”

See this story.

Lawsuit Filed Against New Mexico Secretary of State’s Imposition of Straight-Ticket Device

Posted on by August 31, 2018
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On August 30, a broad coalition of New Mexico groups and voters asked the New Mexico Supreme Court to restrain the Secretary of State from imposing a straight-ticket device on the November 2018 ballots. Unite New Mexico v Toulouse Olive, S-1-SC-37227. The plaintiffs include the Democratic nominee for House District 46, who is a declared write-in. Other plaintiffs are Unite New Mexico, which advocates on behalf of independent candidates and voters; the Republican Party; the Libertarian Party; and a PAC, Elect Liberty.

Here is the 20-page petition. Thanks to Bob Perls for the link.