On June 29, SB 1288 passed the California Assembly Elections Committee. It had already passed the Senate. It lets all cities and counties use Instant Runoff Voting for elections for their own officers. Currently, only charter cities and charter counties may do that. The vote was 5-2, with all Democrats voting “yes” and both Republicans voting “no.” Now the bill goes to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

It is odd that Republican legislators in California do not support Instant Runoff Voting. Probably the Republican Party would be better off this year if Instant Runoff Voting were used in Republican presidential primaries. Thanks to Steve Chessin for the news about SB 1288.

As of 5:30 p.m., east time, Wednesday, June 29, there is no court order in Constitution Party of Pennsylvania v Cortes, setting out what the ballot access rules are this year.

Although the Pennsylvania House Rules Committee met on June 29, it did not take up HB 342. That bill sets ballot access rules, and is still sitting in that Committee. Therefore it seems virtually impossible that the bill will move on June 29. UPDATE: the House as adjourned for the day but will meet Thursday, June 30, at 11 a.m.

On June 27, Philip Pidot filed a federal lawsuit over New York’s failure to put him on the Republican primary ballot, for the primary being held on June 28. He is running for U.S. House, 3rd district. Only one other Republican filed to be on that primary ballot. Pidot was originally kept off the ballot because it was believed he did not have the needed 1,250 signatures. Later a court determined that he did have enough, but said it was too late to do anything about it. Pidot will ask for a special primary in the near future. U.S. District Court Judge Joseph F. Bianco will hear this case on Wednesday, June 29, at 10:45 a.m. in Islip, on Long Island.

The case is Pidot v New York State Board of Elections, e.d., 2:16cv-3527.