The U.S. Supreme Court will hear Reed v Town of Gilbert on January 12, 2015. This is the case challenging restrictions on outdoor signs. Although it is not an election law case, all First Amendment cases inevitably affect election law. The Ninth Circuit had upheld the town’s restrictions on signs, both as to size, and as to how long they may remain up. The case was brought by a church that doesn’t have its own church building and depends on signs to inform the public of where its services are.

As of the close of business on Friday, November 21, the Oregon initiative requiring labels for genetically engineered foods is very close. “Yes” is 752,163; “no” is 753,239. With a margin of only 1,076 votes, and many remaining uncounted ballots, it seems somewhat likely a recount will be held. See this story.

Libertarian Party nominees for partisan office won eight elections on November 4, but only one was contested. In the other races, the number of candidates on the ballot equaled the number of candidates to be elected.

1. Jacob Faught was elected Constable of Benton County, Arkansas, in Township 5.
2. Cheryl Heacox was re-elected to the Clay Township Board in Wayne County, Indiana. Three were to be elected and only three candidates ran (one Libertarian and two Republicans).
3. Stephen Coffman was re-elected to the Liberty Township Board in Henry County, Indiana. Three were to be elected and only three candidates ran (one Libertarian, one Democrat, and one Republican).
4. Tracey Roberts was elected Magistrate of Marshall County, Kentucky.
5. Shannon Denniston was elected Magistrate of Montgomery County, Kentucky
6. William McBride was elected to the Washington, Louisiana town council, in a contested election. He defeated his Republican opponent 81-57.
7. Henry Herford was elected Constable in Justice of the Peace district one in Franklin Parish, Louisiana.
8. Justin Bonnette was elected Justice of the Peace in ward six in Vernon Parish, Louisiana.