The California Senate is likely to vote on AB 2351 during the week of August 18-22. This is the bill that eases the definition of “political party”, from a group that has registration of 1% of the last gubernatorial vote, to one that has registration of .33% of the state total. Thanks to C. T. Weber for this news.
On August 4, the California Supreme Court asked for briefs in Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association v Bowen, S220289. The is the case on whether the legislature has the power to put advisory measures on the statewide ballot. The legislature passed a bill earlier this year, saying California November ballots should ask voters if they want Congress and the legislature to work for a constitutional amendment to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court decision Citizens United v FEC. Last week, the State Court of Appeals had voted 2-1 to leave it on the ballot. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the news.
Alabama requires political parties to certify the names of their nominees by July 30. In Marshall County and Jackson County, the county organizations of both parties failed to meet this deadline. See this story. The Secretary of State seems to be saying that county election officials should decide what to do about this. Thanks to Joshua Cassity for the link.
On July 29, Washington, D.C., Mayor Vincent Gray signed Bill 20-0574, which permanently eliminates the D.C. residency requirement for petitioners. Last year the city had passed a temporary measure eliminating the residency requirement, but the new legislation is permanent. The temporary bill expires October 3, 2014. The reason the Council first passed a temporary measure, followed by a permanent measure, is that it was easier for the temporary measure to take effect immediately.
Jason Dore, executive director of the Louisiana Republican Party, and Stephen Handwerk, executive director of the Louisiana Democratic Party, have this column in The Advertiser, daily newspaper in Lafayette, Louisiana. The column explains how federal campaign finance laws inhibit state political parties. Thanks to the Center for Competitive Politics for the link.
