The Atlantic has this story by Clare Foran, discussing internal dissent within the Republican Party. The article also says that the Constitution Party and the Libertarian Party are being noticed by these unhappy Republicans. Thanks to Peter Gemma for the link.
On May 12, the Arizona Libertarian Party asked a U.S. District Court to enjoin the new, higher petition requirements for Libertarian candidates who wish to get on the Libertarian primary ballot. The case is Arizona Libertarian Party v Reagan, 2:16cv-1019. Here is the 28-page brief.
The primary is August 30, 2016. The deadline for primary petitions is June 1.
According to this story, a proposal to recommend secession for Texas almost got enough support in a Texas Republican convention committee to be voted on by all the delegates.
On May 12, the Missouri legislature passed HJR 53 and HB 1631. If these bills become law, then in November 2016 the voters will be asked if they wish to amend the Missouri Constitution to allow the legislature to require certain kinds of government photo-ID for voters at the polls.
It is somewhat likely that these bills will be vetoed by Governor Jay Nixon, who is a Democrat. But it is also likely that the legislature will then override the veto. See this story. Thanks to Ken Bush for the link.
Once again, an Illinois statewide initiative to create an independent redistricting commission (to draw state legislative districts) is fighting to get on the ballot. See this story. Although the initiative has twice as many signatures as are required, it is being challenged on the basis that the Illinois Constitution does not permit initiatives on this subject.
Illinois has had the statewide initiative since 1979, but in all those years, only one initiative has ever appeared on the ballot. That is because the state constitution only permits initiatives that affect the legislature. The initiative that qualified eliminated cumulative voting and multi-member districts for the Illinois House. Thanks to Jan Tucker for the link.
