March 7 was the first day for independent candidates, and the nominees of unqualified parties, to start petitioning in Pennsylvania. Those petitions are due on August 1. Although the statewide petitions are only 5,000 signatures, the district petitions are more severe, 2% of the winner’s vote in the last general election. For example, in the U.S. House 2nd district, the requirement is 6,451 signatures.

Therefore, it would be quite unsettling if the U.S. Supreme Court were to rule that the new districts should not be used, and the old districts should be used instead. All of the petitioning that has already occurred would be wasted effort. This is even more true for the primary petitions; the petitioning period for those petitions started in late February.

It is thought unlikely that the U.S. Supreme Court would upset the new districts, but it is conceivable. The Court still hasn’t ruled. The ruling could come at any time.

On March 7, Mark French, who was a candidate for Justice of the Peace in 2014 in Sanders County, Montana, asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear his appeal. He has been challenging a Montana law that does not allow him to say that the county Republican Party endorsed him. The lower federal courts upheld the state law. Here is his cert petition. French v Jones, 17-1255. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link.

On March 7, the Utah House passed HB 338, which repeals the law that allows candidates to petition onto a primary ballot even though they may not have much support at at party convention or caucus. The vote was 53-19. It now goes to the Senate. The legislature adjourns on March 8.