Democrats Poll 95.7% of Vote in California Special Legislative Election

On October 3, California held a special election for Assembly, 51st district. In California special elections, the first round is an election, and anyone who polls at least 50% is elected. If not, there is a run-off.

Thirteen candidates were on the ballot: ten Democrats, one Libertarian, one Peace & Freedom member, and one independent. The ten Democrats together polled 95.7%. Here are the results from the California Secretary of State’s web page. The results are not final.

In an election of this type, in which one party is dominant, the interest of the voters is fixed on which member of that dominant party will win, so the vote for others shrinks below what it normally would be.

U.S. Supreme Court Hears Wisconsin Political Gerrymandering Case

On October 3, the U.S. Supreme Court heard Gill v Whitford, 16-1161, the Wisconsin political gerrymandering case. Here is a New York Times story about the oral argument.

UPDATE: here is a more detailed Reuters story.

FURTHER UPDATE: this Chicago Tribune story says Justice Anthony Kennedy “did not tip his hand”, and it seems obvious that the other justices are divided, four on each side.

September 2017 Ballot Access News Print Edition

Ballot Access News
September 1, 2017 – Volume 33, Number 4

This issue was printed on white paper.


Table of Contents

  1. U.S. DISTRICT COURT INVALIDATES UTAH PETITION DEADLINE FOR NEW PARTIES IN SPECIAL ELECTIONS
  2. CALIFORNIA INITIATIVE TO REPEAL TOP-TWO
  3. ILLINOIS INDIRECTLY EASES BALLOT ACCESS
  4. ONE OF THE DEBATES LAWSUITS LOSES
  5. PENNSYLVANIA SORE LOSER LAW UPHELD FOR PRESIDENT
  6. CALIFORNIA BILLS
  7. U.S. SUPREME COURT APPEARS INTERESTED IN POLITICAL CLOTHING AT THE POLLS CASE
  8. IOWA LIBERTARIAN WITHSTANDS ENERGETIC CHALLENGE
  9. NORTH CAROLINA LEGISLATURE
  10. INDIA
  11. BERNIE SANDERS SUPPORTERS LOSE LAWSUIT AGAINST DEMOCRATIC PARTY
  12. FIFTH CIRCUIT INVALIDATES TEXAS ELECTION LAW
  13. ERRATA
  14. “DISOBEDIENT” ELECTOR LEGAL NEWS
  15. 2018: US HOUSE SIGNATURES REQUIRED FOR NEW PARTIES, FULL SLATE
  16. LAST TIME MINOR PARTY OR INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE WON A CONSTITUTIONAL BALLOT ACCESS LAWSUIT
  17. GREEN PARTY ON STATEWIDE 2017 PENNSYLVANIA BALLOT
  18. MEETING MAY LAUNCH NEW PARTY
  19. DICK GREGORY DIES
  20. GREEN PARTY GAINS A COUNCILMEMBER
  21. SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS
  22. REFORM PARTY HAS A CONTESTED PRIMARY FOR MAYOR OF NEW YORK
  23. SUBSCRIBING TO BAN WITH PAYPAL