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North Carolina Legislature Passes Bill for Party Labels for Candidates for State Appeals Judicial Spots

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Richard WingerSeptember 30, 2015

On September 29, the North Carolina legislature passed HB 8, which says candidate for appeals court judge may have their party membership listed on the ballot if they wish. Under current law, the elections are completely non-partisan, with no party nominations and no party labels. The bill does not apply to elections for State Supreme Court Justice, nor to Superior Court judicial races.

The legislature has now adjourned, although it will come back in October in case it wishes to override any possible gubernatorial vetoes.

Northwest Labor Press Story on Working Families Party of Oregon

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Richard WingerSeptember 30, 2015

The Northwest Labor Press, a print publication published twice per month in Oregon, has this story on the Working Families Party of Oregon. The story reveals that the party has a paid staff of four.

California Journalist Conor Friedersdorf Advocates a New Major Party in California

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Richard WingerSeptember 30, 2015

Conor Friedersdorf, a staff writer for The Atlantic, says California needs a new major party because the Republican Party can’t compete in the state. See his Los Angeles Times essay here. Thanks to AroundtheCapitol for the link.

Iowa Ex-Felon Loses Lawsuit to Regain Right to Vote

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Richard WingerSeptember 30, 2015

On September 28, a lower Iowa state court ruled that a particular voter, convicted in the past of a drug offense, may not register to vote. The Iowa Constitution says ex-felons who had committed an “infamous crime” lose the right to register to vote. The ACLU, which represents the voter, will ask for State Supreme Court review. See this story.

Canada’s Election Law Lets Candidates File for Parliament as Late as Three Weeks Before Election

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Richard WingerSeptember 29, 2015

Canada holds a parliamentary election on October 19. According to this story, the deadline for candidates file was September 28, which is only three weeks before the election itself.

Candidates get on the ballot by submitting 100 signatures and paying a filing fee of $1,000 Canadian dollars.