On September 30, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1539, which requires political parties that nominate a presidential candidate to attach paperwork, certifying that the nominee is not in violation of the 22nd amendment (the term limits amendment for president and vice-president). The law also applies to declared write-in presidential candidates, and independent presidential candidates. No other state requires such declarations.
On September 29, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham again called for implementation of proportional representation for British Parliamentary elections. He was addressing the Labour Party conference. He will start by setting up a national commission to come up with a particular system. See this story.
Question Three, the Massachusetts initiative for a top-two system, has raised $5,200,000. The bulk of the money is from private equity investors. See this detail.
North Dakota held its primary elections on June 9, 2026. Now, four Republican legislative candidates who lost their primaries are suing, arguing that their opponents’ petitions to get on the primary ballot were not valid. See this story. The case is in the State Supreme Court.
On September 29, the Pennsylvania House passed HB 280 by a vote of 115-88. Most Democrats voted for it and most Republicans voted against it. It lets independent voters vote in partisan primaries. The bill had been introduced in January 2025. The sponsor, Representative Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia) had introduced the same bill in 2023. Here is the text.
The bill now goes to the State Senate, which has a Republican majority. There are only eight days remaining available for floor votes, some in October and some in November.
