The Libertarian Party filed a federal lawsuit over the Kentucky U.S. Senate debate on September 28, 2014, called Libertarian National Committee v Holliday, eastern district, 3:14cv-63. Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove denied injunctive relief, and the Libertarian U.S. Senate nominee, David Patterson, was barred from all debates.

The case is still alive. Patterson and his party charge that the debate sponsors changed the rules on which candidates should be invited. When it appeared Patterson might qualify, the debate sponsors said no one could be invited who had not raised at least $100,000 and was at 10% in the polls. Patterson and the party requested permission to file an amended complaint back on November 6, 2014, and the judge still has not ruled on whether the amended complaint can be filed. The amended complaint contains new information that had not come out when the original complaint had been filed. It also asks for a jury trial.

Ralph Nader has this opinion piece soundly recommending the National Popular Vote Plan for presidential elections.

The only National Popular Vote Plan bill that has made any headway this year is Oregon’s HB 3475. It passed the House on May 18 and has been in the Senate Rules Committee since May 21.

On June 11, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed HB 222. It generally lets members of the State Supreme Court retain their seats without having to face opponents. Instead they appear on the ballot and a voter votes on whether or not to retain that Justice. The new procedure does not apply to candidates who were recently appointed and never ran in any type of election; they are still subject to having an opponent and having to run against that opponent in non-partisan elections.