Lou Jacobson has this article about Automatic Voter Registration, which nine states now have, to a certain extent. Automatic Voter Registration is a system in which election officials automatically register every adult citizen known to exist in that state, unless the individual declines. The article discusses whether Automatic Voter Registration helps Democrats or Republicans more. What is clear is that it definitely helps candidates and parties that must petition to get on the ballot, because a much larger percentage of signers will be registered. Thanks to Electionline for the link.

On October 4, the Independent Voters Project filed this amicus curiae brief in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. Among the signers are former U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman, former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey, and former New Jersey Governor Christy Todd Whitman. The amicus is on the side of the plaintiffs, Level the Playing Field and the Libertarian and Green Parties.

The amicus could only be filed after the judge approved its filing. The FEC refused to give permission for this amicus to be filed, so the judge was forced to settle whether it could be filed. The attorneys who wrote and filed the amicus are Chad Peace and Breton Peace of San Diego.

On October 4, the North Carolina legislature’s conference committee passed this version of SB 656, the ballot access bill. It had previously passed both chambers, but the two versions did not agree with each other. This new version is more like the House version than the Senate version. It needs to pass both chambers again. It is on the Senate calendar for Thursday, October 5. The Senate convenes at 9:30 a.m. Thanks to Brian Irving for the link.