Massachusetts Supreme Court Upholds 20-Day Voter Registration Deadline

On July 2, the Massachusetts Supreme Court unanimously upheld the current deadline for registering to vote, 20 days before an election. See this story. The lower state court had invalidated it, but the Supreme Court reversed. UPDATE: here is the 49-page opinion in Chelsea Cooperative v Secretary of the Commonwealth, SJC-12435. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link.

Coalition of a New Party, and Two Smaller Already-Existing Parties, Wins Presidency of Mexico

On July 1, Mexico held a presidential and a congressional election. The presidency was won by Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. He was the nominee of the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA), a new party; and also the Labor Party, which has existed since 1990; and the Social Encounter Party, which has existed since 2006. The three parties named their coalition “Together We’ll Make History” (Juntos Haremos Historia).

Mexico election laws are superior to the laws of the United States in several ways: (1) parties are permitted to jointly nominate the same candidate; (2) access to presidential debates is far more inclusive; (3) election administration is carried out by a non-partisan body; (4) for president, whoever wins the most popular votes is elected. Also Mexico uses proportional representation for its congressional elections.

Delaware Legislature Adjourns

The Delaware legislature went home for the year, in the very early hours of Sunday, July 1. HB 89, the bill to move the primary from September to April, did not pass. If it had passed, it would have created very early deadlines for new parties to get on the ballot.