The U.S. Supreme Court had already said it will have at least one opinion on Thursday, June 25, and the remainder on Monday, June 29. Now the Court says Friday, June 26, will also be a decision day. Thanks to Thomas Jones for this information.
On June 19, New York Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Staten Island) introduced AB 8308, which moves the 2016 petition deadline for independent candidates, and the nominees of unqualified parties, from August 23 to August 2. The bill also provides that the Democratic presidential primary in 2016 will be on June 7, and that the Republican presidential primary will be on April 19. Thanks to Mike Drucker of the Independent View for this news.
As already noted here, on June 22, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling in City of Los Angeles v Patel that has implications for ballot access lawsuits. The case itself has nothing to do with election law, but clarifies when plaintiffs can make facial challenges instead of just as-applied challenges.
This commentary by Ian Millhiser at Think Progress develops this concept, although Millhiser explains it in relation to laws restricting abortion.
The facial versus as-applied challenge matter has been especially vexing when plaintiffs recently have filed lawsuits against early petition deadlines. Currently such lawsuits are pending in Arizona, Arkansas, and South Dakota. Thanks to How Appealing for the link.
On June 22, the New Jersey Assembly Appropriations Committee passed AB 4574. It provides for early voting, online voter registration, and automatic registration for voters who obtain a state ID card or drivers license. The bill was introduced June 18. The committee deleted a part of the bill providing for election day registration.
The companion bill in the Senate, SB 3040, hasn’t advanced yet.
On June 22, the Maine House defeated LD 742, a bill to ask the voters if they wish to make it more difficult for statewide initiatives to get on the ballot. See this story. The bill would have imposed a distribution requirement on statewide initiatives. Thanks to Thomas MacMillan for the link.
