On November 4, Republican Judy Baar Topinka was re-elected to another four-year term as Comptroller of Illinois. But she died on December 10, before inauguration day for the newly-elected statewide executive officers. The Illinois Constitution says when one of those officers dies, the Governor may replace the officer; there is no provision for a special election.

There are technically two vacancies to fill: one for the remainder of the current term, which expires in a few weeks; and one for the next four year period. This article discusses the unresolved legal questions.

Topinka, 70, suffered a stroke on December 9. She was one of the most popular politicians in Illinois; see this story about her.

On December 11, the backers of Oregon’s Measure 92, the initiative for labels for genetically-modified food, conceded that the recount won’t change the original outcome. The measure was defeated by fewer than 1,000 votes. See this story.

Newly-elected New Hampshire State Representative Max Abramson has pre-filed HB 713, which eases ballot access. It would lower the vote test for party status from 4% to 2%. It would reduce the petition for establishment of a new party from 3% of the last gubernatorial vote to 1,000 signatures. It would reduce the independent statewide petition from 3,000 to 1,000 signatures, and lower the independent petition for lower offices as well. Thanks to Darryl Perry for this news.