A lawsuit has been filed in Alabama state court, to force the state to hold a special U.S. Senate election this year, to fill the seat of former U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions. See this story. The governor already filled the seat with the Attorney General, Luther Strange, and said there won’t be a special election for this seat until November 2018. The plaintiffs point to an Alabama law that seems to require a special election sooner than that.
On March 7, Texas Representative Ron Reynolds (D-Missouri City) introduced HB 3068. It makes many far-reaching improvements in Texas ballot access laws for independent candidates and newly-qualifying parties, and also makes it easier for a party to remain on the ballot. The bill text isn’t on the legislature’s web page yet, but when it is, a link will be provided.
It has now been over six weeks since the plaintiffs in State ex rel Fockler v Husted asked the Ohio Supreme Court for reconsideration, and the Court still hasn’t reacted to that request. Here is a link to the docket for that case in the Ohio Supreme Court.
Chillicothe, Ohio, has partisan city elections for city council. Incumbent Alicia Gray, who has no opponents, failed to submit a valid petition to get on the Democratic primary ballot. See this story.
Iowa HF 516 is a large election law bill that abolishes the straight-ticket device, and changes many other Iowa election laws. It was introduced March 2 by the House Committee on State Government, so it is very likely to pass that committee. Thanks to John Deeth for this news.
