Texas Residents Who Want Districts of Equal Numbers of Eligible Voters, Instead of Population, File U.S. Supreme Court Brief

Posted on by August 1, 2015
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Next term the U.S. Supreme Court will hear Evenwel v Abbott, 14-940. The Texas voters who filed the case argue that states must draw U.S. House and legislative districts based on the number of eligible voters, not population. Here is the opening brief filed by those voters. The “summary of argument” starts on page 14.

The core argument these voters make is that the Constitution requires states to treat all voters equally. In some districts in Texas, the number of eligible voters is far larger than in other districts. This is not only because some, but not all, parts of Texas have large numbers of alien residents. It is also because some parts of Texas have a higher density of children than other parts of Texas.

The other side’s brief is due September 18. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link.

August 3 Joint Forum for 14 Republican Presidential Candidates to be Televised Live on Many TV Stations

Posted on by August 1, 2015
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Several newspapers in various states are sponsoring a joint forum for Republican presidential candidates on Monday evening, August 3. The newspapers invited all 17 Republicans who seem to have a genuine campaign, based on how many campaign events they have set up, and whether they have campaign offices and staff. Three of the 17 declined to participate. See this story. The candidates will not appear simultaneously; instead each one will be on the stage alone. If the event had included the candidates speaking to each other, that would have violated Republican National Committee rules, which won’t allow unsanctioned debates. The event starts at 7 p.m eastern time. Also see this story, which has a link, by which anyone may suggest topics for the moderator to raise.

Mayor of Kingston, New York, May Depend on Green Party to Get on November 3, 2015 Ballot

Posted on by July 31, 2015
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Mayor Shayne Gallo of Kingston, New York, is running for re-election in a partisan election on November 3, 2015. He is a Democrat, but he has a powerful opponent in the Democratic primary in September. In case he loses the Democratic primary, he hoped to be nominated by either or both the Independence Party and the Conservative Party. He did not file to run in the Working Families Party primary.

Due to a judicial decision saying his acceptance form was a day too late for the Independence and Conservative process, he can’t expect to get their nomination. Although he could run as a write-in, it is unlikely he could win because his Republican opponent is on the ballot in the primaries of those two parties.

But, as this story explains, Mayor Gallo might get the Green Party nomination on write-in votes in the Green primary. That would not be very difficult because no one has qualified to be on the Green Party primary ballot for Mayor.

Governor John Kasich Responds to a Question About More Inclusive General Election Presidential Debates

Posted on by July 31, 2015
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On July 31, Ohio Governor John Kasich spoke in Keene, New Hampshire. He was asked whether he feels general election presidential debates should include more than two candidates. He responded, “I don’t know; I haven’t thought about it.” Then he asked the questioner who the third candidate might be. The reporter who asked the question mentioned the Libertarian and Green Parties.

Kasich then started to make a reference to the 2014 gubernatorial election in Ohio, where three candidates were on the ballot, Kasich, the Democratic nominee, and the Green Party nominee. He started to say that he had some discussions about whether to include the Green, but trailed off, and said, “I don’t know. I’ll see how serious they are.” Actually, the Democratic Party nominee for Governor of Ohio in 2014 was willing to include the Green Party nominee, and it was Governor Kasich who refused to include her.
Use this link to watch the video. Click on the 5th segment (the segments are listed on the right edge). The question about the general election debates starts at 52 seconds in. Thanks to Darryl Perry for the link.