Puerto Rico Imprisoned Persons Are Permitted to Vote in Presidential Primaries and Other Elections

Puerto Rico, along with Maine and Vermont, does not restrict voting for persons in prison. See this story, which says that many prisoners will be voting in the March 6, Sunday, Republican presidential primary. The story mentions a Democratic presidential primary being held on June 5, but actually the Puerto Rico Democratic Party has not yet decided whether to hold a primary or a caucus.

Puerto Rico presidential primary ballots contain photos of each candidate.

Maine Officials Invalidate Statewide Initiative Because They Think Notary Signature On Petitions Differs from Signature on Other Older Documents

According to this story, Maine’s Secretary of State invalidated a statewide initiative petition for marijuana legalization because the Notary’s signature on the petition sheets doesn’t look similar to that Notary’s older signature on other records. The Secretary of State’s office admits they didn’t even communicate with the Notary. Thanks to Walker Chandler for the link.

Washington Post Carries Op-Ed Criticizing U.S. Election Laws and Practices that Bolster Republican and Democratic Parties Against Others

Peter Ackerman and Larry Diamond have this op-ed in the Washington Post. It condemns U.S. election laws and practices that make it difficult for new parties and independent candidates to compete against the Republican and Democratic Parties. Peter Ackerman was a leader of Americans Elect 2010-2012. Larry Diamond is a scholar at the Hoover Institute.