Texas Bill to Abolish Run-off Primaries

Posted on by February 16, 2025
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Texas Representative Terry Meza (D-Irving) has introduced HB 1406, to eliminate the run-off primaries that are held when no candidate gets at least 50% in the primary. The bill instead would use ranked choice voting in primaries. However, the bill avoids the term “ranked choice voting” and instead calls it “preferential voting.”

If the bill passed, it would ease ballot access. Currently independent candidates cannot start to circulate their petition until after the run-off primary, if the independent is running for an office for which such a run-off was being held. By getting rid of run-offs, the petitioning period for such independent candidates would be lengthier.

Both Houses of Mississippi Legislature Pass Bill Moving Midterm Primaries from June to March

Posted on by February 16, 2025
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Both houses of the Mississippi legislature have passed bills to move the midterm primaries from June to March. Both bills passed unanimously. However, they differ slightly, so further action will be needed.

SB 2656, by Senator Jeremy England, moves them to the first Tuesday in March. HB 293, by Representative Noah Sanford, moves them to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March.

The change hurts ballot access, because the deadlines for new parties and independent candidates are tied to the date of the primary. So these deadlines will now become several months earlier, assuming one of the bills passes. However, they have no effect on the deadline for independent presidential candidates, nor for new parties that just want to participate in the presidential election.

For Fourth Year in a Row, Mississippi Legislature Won’t Restore the Statewide Initiative Process

Posted on by February 16, 2025
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In 2021 the Mississippi State Supreme Court removed the State Constitutional right for the voters to use the initiative process to alter state laws. The Court said the Constitutional provision was flawed because it said signatures had to come from all five U.S. House district, but after the 2000 census Mississippi only had four districts.

Ever since, bills have been introduced in the Mississippi legislature to bring back the initiative, but every time the bills die. See this story about the 2025 session.

Many Maine Bills to Amend Constitution to Allow Voters to Choose Secretary of State, Attorney General and Treasurer

Posted on by February 16, 2025
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Maine is one of only six states in which the only statewide executive officer chosen by the voters is Governor (or, a joint ticket of Governor and Lieutenant Governor). The other states are Alaska, Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Tennessee.

Many bills are pending in the Maine legislature to amend the State Constitution and provide that the voters should choose Secretary of State, Attorney General, and Treasurer. Most of them have Republican sponsors, but LD 452 is introduced by Democratic State Senator Joe Baldacci. The other bills are HD 147, 149, 150, 455, and 508.

Because the bills amend the Constitution, they need two-thirds in each house of the legislature. Some of the bills provide for four-year terms, and others for two-year terms.

Currently the Maine legislature chooses the three executive officers.