On May 11, the Commission on Presidential Debates filed this amicus curiae brief in Level the Playing Field v Federal Election Commission, 1:15cv-1397. This is one of the two pending cases over the rules for qualifying for the general election presidential debates.

The brief says that there are “scores” of presidential candidates every presidential election year. This is a phony point, because no one is challenging the CPD rule that says invited candidates must be on the ballot in enough states to theoretically win. in the entire history of the United States, there has never been a presidential election with more than seven candidates who had enough candidates for presidential elector to theoretically win. In 2012 there were only four such candidates.

The brief also that the purpose of the federal campaign laws is to prevent corruption or the appearance of corruption. The plaintiffs agree. The question, which the CPD completely ignores, is whether the large for-profit corporations who fund the Commission on Presidential Debates are currying favor with the two major party presidential candidates by their funding.

The Independent Voters Network has this article by Richard Winger, detailing how California election laws, and election administrators, have made determined efforts to stamp out the word “Independent.” This is true for the voter registration form, for ballots, and even for the Statewide Voter Guide.

On May 17, U.S. District Court Judge Julia Robinson, a Bush Jr. appointee, enjoined the Kansas law that says people who register to vote at the Department of Motor Vehicles must provide documents proving they are citizens. The judge interpreted the 1993 federal “Motor Voter” Law to forbid states from requiring such documentation. She stayed her own opinion to give the state time to appeal to the Tenth Circuit. The case is Fish v Kobach, 16-2105. Here is the decision.

The ruling has no effect on voters who hope to register to vote in state and local elections. It only helps applicants to be registered to vote in federal elections. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link.