Poll Says 20% of Likely California Voters Will Leave U.S. Senate Blank

Posted on by July 26, 2018
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On July 26, the Public Policy Institute of California released a poll for various offices and issues. The poll asked about the U.S. Senate race. In November, two Democrats are the only candidates listed, and there is no write-in space. Among likely voters, 20% volunteered that they will leave their ballot blank for U.S. Senate (the pollster did not suggest this idea). Here are the results. Scroll down to page eight for the U.S. Senate race.

In November 2016, when there were also just two Democrats on the ballot for U.S. Senate, 16% of the voters left U.S. Senate blank.

Rhode Island Board of Elections Keeps Rocky De La Fuente on Republican Primary Ballot for U.S. Senate, Despite his California Residence

Posted on by July 26, 2018
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On July 25, the Rhode Island State Board of Election Canvassers determined that Rocky De La Fuente should remain on the Republican primary ballot as a candidate for U.S. Senate. His ballot position was challenged by a voter, but the Board’s attorney expressed the opinion that the U.S. Constitution does not allow states to impose residency requirements for congressional candidates, because Article One only mentions the candidate’s residence on election day, and no one can know the future residence of anyone else. If he happened to win the Republican primary, it is conceivable he would then move his residence to Rhode Island. See this story. The primary is September 12.

New York Election Board Appeals to Second Circuit in Out-of-State Circulator Case

Posted on by July 25, 2018
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On July 12, attorneys for the New York State Board of Elections filed a notice of appeal in Merced v Spano, the Libertarian Party case over the state’s ban on out-of-state circulators. The U.S. District Court had found the ban unconstitutional.

It is odd that New York is appealing. Out-of-state bans have been struck down all across the nation, so there are almost no such bans still remaining.

Iowa State Trial Court Enjoins Several 2017 Laws Affecting Ability of Voters to Cast a Ballot

Posted on by July 25, 2018
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On July 24, an Iowa state trial court enjoined several laws passed in 2017 that make it somewhat more difficult to vote. Here is the order in League of United Latin American Citizens of Iowa v Pate, Polk County district court cv-056493. The order is based on the state constitution, which says that voting is a fundamental right.

The court order enjoins state election officials from disseminating messages that say, “Iowa voters will be asked to show a form of valid ID when voting”, unless the message is amended to say this is not true for the 2018 election. The new voter ID law doesn’t take effect until 2019.

The order enjoins the law shrinking the absentee voting period from 40 days before the election, to 29 days before. It enjoins the message on the absentee ballot application that says an absentee ballot won’t be issued unless the application includes a voter ID number. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link.