Listen to Sixth Circuit Oral Argument in George v Hargett at This Link

Posted on by August 5, 2017
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The Sixth Circuit web page lets anyone listen to recent oral arguments. Here is a link to the 35-minute argument in George v Hargett, 16-5563. This is the case over whether a 2014 amendment to the Tennessee Constitution passed. It clearly got a majority of the vote, but opponents of the measure argue that the state Constitution does not permit voters to vote on amendments unless they vote for Governor. In order for that interpretation to be followed, a recount of all the ballots would be needed to filter out ballots that left Governor blank.

It seems fairly clear to me that the Sixth Circuit will reverse the U.S. District Court, and uphold the state, which says there is no requirement that voters who abstained for Governor must not vote for amendments either.

Californians Will Probably Have Only Democrats on November 2018 Ballot for Lieutenant Governor

Posted on by August 5, 2017
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This Los Angeles Times article says four Democrats who are running for California Lieutenant Governor have raised at least $600,000 in campaign funds, and a fifth who might seek that office has raised $2.8 million. It also says, “So far, no major Republican candidates are actively campaigning for Lieutenant Governor.”

Under the top-two system that has been in effect in California since 2011, this probably means that the only two choices on the November 2018 ballot for Lieutenant Governor will be two Democrats. No write-ins will be permitted.

California elections for Lieutenant Governor are separate from gubernatorial elections. The only other populous state that has separate elections for Governor and Lieutenant Governor is Texas.

Illinois Governor Has Until August 28 to Sign or Veto Automatic Voter Registration Bill

Posted on by August 5, 2017
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As noted earlier, the Illinois legislature passed SB 1933 at the end of May, and sent it to Governor Bruce Rauner on June 29. It provides that election officials will register every adult citizen known to exist, unless the individual declines. The State Journal-Register has this editorial, urging the Governor to sign the bill. He has until August 28 to act. The August 1, 2017 print Ballot Access News was in error when it said the deadline to act on the bill is July 29.

North Carolina Legislature Will Re-Convene August 18

Posted on by August 5, 2017
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The North Carolina re-convenes on Friday, August 18. According to this story, the legislature will take up not only redistricting, but other election law bills. This is good news for SB 656, the ballot access bill that has passed both houses of the legislature already, but still isn’t through the legislature because the two versions differ.

The bill to redraw legislative districts will probably receive a vote on August 24 or August 25.

Congressional Bill Would Raise Postal Rates for Political Parties

Posted on by August 5, 2017
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The Postal Service Reform Act of 2017, HB 756, would raise postage rates for political parties that are recognized by the Federal Election Commission as “national committees” and “state committees.” The bill passed the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on March 16, 2017. It had been introduced on January 31, 2017, by Congressman Jason Chaffetz, and has seven Republican co-sponsors and eight Democratic co-sponsors.

The bill makes many other changes as well. Here is a summary of the bill’s provisions.

Ever since 1976, political parties have enjoyed the ability to send postal mail at the non-profit rates. Originally only the Democratic and Republican Parties could use non-profit rates, but a U.S. District Court ruling in 1980, Greenburg v Bolger, expanded that to all parties recognized as national committees.