Suffolk University/USA Today Poll Shows Support for a Multi-Party System

Posted on by May 8, 2018
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On April 23, Suffolk University/USA Today released a poll of persons who say they are unlikely to vote in November 2018. Question 3 asks respondents if they are Republicans, Democrats, independents, or “something else.” The results: Democratic 27%, Republican 20%, independent 25%, “something else” 21%, refused 7%.

Another question finds that 57% of respondents favor a multi-party system. Only 22% said they were satisfied with a system that includes only the Republican and Democratic Parties. See this summary of the findings.

Illinois Trial in Ballot Access Case Delayed

Posted on by May 8, 2018
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A U.S. District Court in Illinois is currently adjudicating a lawsuit against the state’s 5% (of the last vote cast) petition requirement for U.S. House. The trial in the case had been set for September 18, 2018, but it has now been moved to April 16, 2019. Discovery is still underway.

Illinois and Georgia are the only states in which independent candidates for U.S. House need a petition greater than 3% of the last gubernatorial vote. The Georgia case against the 5% (of the number of registered voters) is also undergoing discovery and will probably have a trial this year.

Attorneys for Illinois have made a hint about settling the case, but that would involve persuading the legislature. The later trial date gives the 2019 session of the legislature an opportunity to pass a bill that eases the requirement.

U.S. District Court Uses a Legal Technicality to Deny Request for Special U.S. House Election in New York

Posted on by May 8, 2018
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On April 26, a U.S. District Court in New York refused to order the state to hold a special election to fill the vacancy U.S. House seat, 25th district. See the two-page order here in Seubert v Cuomo, w.d., 6:18cv-6303.

The court said nothing about the constitutional issue, but based its order on a technicality.