New York Voters File Federal Lawsuit to Obtain a Special Election for U.S. House, 25th District

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter of New York’s 25th district died on March 16, 2018. On April 17, some voters in her district filed a federal lawsuit against the Governor, so as to obtain a special election to fill the vacant seat. Seubert v Cuomo, w.d., 6:18cv-6303.

Although a similar lawsuit in Michigan recently failed to get injunctive relief, it is easier for a New York case to win. New York does not require primaries in special U.S. House elections; party committees may choose nominees. By contrast, Michigan law requires primaries in special congressional elections, and obviously it takes much longer when a state must hold a special primary followed by a special general election. Thanks to Joe Burns for this news.

Florida Constitution Revision Commission Won’t Put Any Changes to Primary Elections on Ballot

On April 16, the Florida Constitutional Revision Commission issued its final decisions on which proposed state constitutional changes to put on the November 2018 ballot. According to this story, the Commission voted not to change the primary system.

There had been support for a constitutional amendment saying that write-in candidates in the general election should be deemed not to exist, in connection with partisan primaries. Current law says when all the candidates for any particular partisan office are from the same party, then the August primary for that particular office is open to all registered voters, no matter what their partisan affiliation. This has been the law for 20 years.

Current law treats declared write-ins candidates in the general election as though they were not members of any particular party. So, when someone files as a write-in for the general election for a particular office, the primary for that office remains closed, even if all the ballot-listed candidates are from the same party.

Businessman Nathan Altman Will Try to Be First Independent U.S. Senate Candidate in Indiana History

No independent candidate has ever been on an Indiana government-printed ballot for either U.S. Senate or Governor. Businessman Nathan Altman will attempt to get on the ballot this year for U.S. Senate. See this story.

No minor party or independent candidate petition for statewide office has succeeded in Indiana since 2000. Indiana is one of only four states in which Ralph Nader never got on the ballot, even though he is the person who placed third in 2000, 2004, and 2008.

Upstate Jobs Party Sues New York Over Discriminatory Campaign Finance Law

On April 13, the Upstate Jobs Party, an unqualified party in New York state, filed a federal lawsuit against discriminatory New York state campaign finance laws. Those laws permit an individual to contribute more money to a qualified party than an unqualified party. The case is Upstate Jobs Party and Martin Babinec v Kosinski, n.d., 6:18cv-459. Here is the Complaint. Thanks to Joe Burns for this news.

The Constitution Party has a very similar case pending against a North Carolina law.