New Jersey and Virginia are the only two states that elect governors this year. Joe Piscopo, a radio show host in northern New Jersey, will probably run for Governor as an independent, according to this story. Thanks to Frank Morano for the link.
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On March 16, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, vetoed HB 100. The bill converts judicial elections, for local judges, from non-partisan to partisan. The message says that non-partisan elections are better than partisan elections for judges. It also says that the requirement that independent judicial candidates, who would need a petition of 2% of the number of registered voters in their district, would have a difficult time getting on the ballot. See the veto message here.
Ironically, HB 100 provided easier petition requirements for independent judicial candidates than for independent candidates for other district office. For all other district office, independent candidates need a petition of 4% of the registered voters.
The veto was expected, because in the legislature, Republicans supported the bill whereas Democrats opposed it. The Republican majority in each house of the legislature exceeds 60% of the membership, and vetoes can be overridden in North Carolina with a 60% vote in each house, so there will be an attempt to override the veto. Thanks to Kevin Hayes for this news.
Nonprofit Vote and the U.S. Elections Project have released a thorough study of 2016 voter turnout. See it here. The 2016 November turnout was 60.2%, which is better than the November 2012 turnout of 58.6, but not as good as the 2008 turnout.
The Report has a great deal of data that shows how characteristics of state election systems relate to turnout. Clearly, the most effective idea for increasing turnout is for states to allow election-day registration. The report also shows that states that provide few choices on the ballot have lower turnout. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link.
The D.C. Circuit will hear Gary Johnson, et al v Commission on Presidential Debates on Friday, April 21. This is the case in which Jill Stein and Gary Johnson argue that the Commission on Presidential Debates was in violation of the federal anti-trust laws when it excluded them from the 2012 debates.
All the briefs are in. The Commission’s brief was filed March 2 and the candidates’ reply brief was filed March 15.
On March 15, Nebraska LB 25 passed the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee unanimously. Existing law says a party remains on the ballot if it polls 5% for any statewide office, at either of the last two elections. The bill adds a second method; it also stays on the ballot as long as it has at least 10,000 registrations. The author of the bill is State Senator Laura Ebke, who is a member of the Libertarian Party. The Libertarian Party has more than 10,000 registered members. Currently it is the only party on the ballot except for the Republican and Democratic Parties.