On June 29, the North Carolina Senate refused to concur in the House amendments to the ballot access bill, SB 656. The bill had passed both houses but the versions differ. The chief difference is that the House version has more difficult requirements for independent candidates than the Senate version. The bill will now go to a conference committee. But it is possible the legislature will adjourn before that process can be carried out.

North Carolina has two-year legislative sessions, so if no further action is taken this week, the bill is still alive and can move ahead in 2018. Unfortunately the bill’s author, Senator Andrew Brock, is resigning from the Senate soon and he won’t be there in 2018 to guide the bill. Thanks to Kevin Hayes for this news.

On the late evening of Wednesday, June 28, the North Carolina House passed SB 656, the ballot access bill. The vote was 107-7. All seven of the “no” votes were cast by Republicans. No one spoke against the bill on the floor. The bill will probably get a vote in the Senate on Thursday, June 29. Thanks to Kevin Hayes for the news.

On June 28, the Eleventh Circuit said it wants oral argument in Hall v Merrill, 16-16766. This is the case on whether Alabama can require petitions of 3% of the last gubernatorial vote, for independent candidates and newly-qualifying parties, in special elections. Last year the U.S. District Court had ruled that because the petitioning time is so short in special elections, the state can’t require such a high number of signatures. The state then filed a notice of appeal to the Eleventh Circuit. Briefs are already submitted.