On August 31, the Libertarian Party of South Dakota, and the Constitution Party of South Dakota, filed this brief in Libertarian Party v Krebs, 4:15cv-4111. This is the case that challenges the March petition deadline for newly-qualifying parties. The case is now two years old but still doesn’t have an opinion from the court.
Soon the state will file a brief, and then briefing will be complete.
This Albany Times-Union story explains that the Reform Party is letting independents vote in its primaries on September 12. It imples that this has never happened before in New York, although some years ago there were some Independence Party primaries for district and local office that also permitted independents to vote. Thanks to several people for the link.
On August 30, the New York Court of Appeals, the highest state court in New York, refused to disturb the ruling of the State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, in Lavell v Baker. That case involved a dispute over whether the Independence Party properly nominated candidates for various local partisan offices in Erie County.
The objectors said the party didn’t follow its own rules, as to whether the state central committee, or the state executive committee, should decide whether to let candidates from other parties run in the Independence Party primary. The lower court, in a split decision, had ruled in favor of the party, and now that win is secure. Thanks to Joe Burns for this news.
On the afternoon of August 30, the North Carolina legislature passed SB 691, the bill to redistrict State Senate districts.
On August 30, the North Carolina legislature passed HB 927, which has new districts for State House seats. When the House convenes at 2 p.m. today, it is expected to pass SB 691, the bill for new State Senate districts.
Then the legislature will probably take a recess, and reconvene in October. According to Representative Bert Jones, SB 656 will be taken up at that time. That is the bill that greatly improves ballot access. It has already passed both houses, but the versions in each house differ, so more action is needed.
