Mother Jones has this article about Victor Williams, a law professor who has filed for write-in status in Republican presidential primaries in five states. Williams is suing in several states for a ruling that Ted Cruz does not meet the constitutional qualifications to be President. By running in presidential primaries himself, he hopes to show that he has standing to file these cases.
On April 11, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin signed SB 1108, which removes the name of presidential elector candidates from the November ballot. Instead, the names will be posted at each polling place. The only states that still print the names of presidential elector candidates on the ballot are Arizona, Idaho, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Thanks to E. Zachary Knight for this news.
On April 11, filing closed for the North Dakota June 14 primary. Seven statewide partisan races are up (not counting president). Here is the list of primary candidates (click on the link, then click on “search”). Libertarians are running for all seven statewide offices, but Democrats only have candidates for six of the seven.
On April 11, the trial began in Covington v State, m.d., 1:15cv-399. The issue is whether North Carolina’s legislative districts are, in some instances, unconstitutional racial gerrymanders. See this story. The trial will probably last all week.
The three judges are: Thomas D. Schroeder, a Bush Jr. appointee; James A. Wynn, Jr., an Obama appointee; Catherine Eagles, an Obama appointee.
Public radio in Sacramento has this story about initiative petitions in California and the rates professional circulators receive. The story says there is so much demand this season, one initiative is paying $5.50 per signature. Thanks to Around the Capitol for the link.
