Utah will not hold a presidential primary in 2016, even though it did so in all years 2000-2012. The Deseret News has this op-ed by Political Science Professor Richard Davis, deploring the lack of a presidential primary.
No one knows yet whether Louisiana will hold presidential primaries in 2016, even though it did so in 2012. It may not be held due to budgetary concerns.
On April 29, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion in Williams-Yulee v Florida Bar Association, 13-1499. Here is the opinion, written by Chief Justice John Roberts. The vote is 5-4. The opinion upholds a Florida rule that bars judicial candidates from asking for campaign contributions. The opinion says states have a compelling reason to uphold campaign speech involving judicial elections, to avoid the public perception that judges are not being bought by individuals who contribute to their campaigns.
The plaintiff had sent a mass e-mail to thousands of people, asking for contributions. She was not a judge, but she was running to become a judge.
The Southern Brooklyn Democratic Club has endorsed the Green Party nominee for U.S. House, 11th district. The special election is May 5. See this story.
On April 28, Washington, D.C., held special elections to fill two vacancies on the City Council. Here are the results. Party labels appeared on the ballot but parties did not have nominees.
In the 4th district race, there were 12 Democrats and Glova Scott, the Socialist Workers Party who had the ballot label “independent”.
Here is a picture of the ballot in that race. Oddly enough, the official candidate list shows her as “Socialist Workers”.
In the 8th district race, there were 12 Democrats and Keita Vanterpool, who was an independent. There is no procedure for runoffs; the winner is the person who received the most votes on April 28.
The Nevada Assembly Legislative Operations and Elections Committee will hear SB 499 on Tuesday, May 5. This is the bill that improves the petition deadline for newly-qualifying parties from April to June, and the independent non-presidential deadline from February to June.
