According to this story, the forces that put a top-two initiative on the ballot in Arizona in 2012 will try again in 2016. The story does not say if the 2016 proposal will differ in any way from the 2012 initiative. The 2012 initiative was defeated by a two-to-one margin. Arizona already lets independent voters vote in partisan primaries, and they need not join a party in order to do that.
On June 22, the California Senate Elections Committee unanimously passed SB 49, which cancels special legislative elections if only one candidate files to be on the ballot.
The U.S. Supreme Court had already said it will have at least one opinion on Thursday, June 25, and the remainder on Monday, June 29. Now the Court says Friday, June 26, will also be a decision day. Thanks to Thomas Jones for this information.
On June 19, New York Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Staten Island) introduced AB 8308, which moves the 2016 petition deadline for independent candidates, and the nominees of unqualified parties, from August 23 to August 2. The bill also provides that the Democratic presidential primary in 2016 will be on June 7, and that the Republican presidential primary will be on April 19. Thanks to Mike Drucker of the Independent View for this news.
As already noted here, on June 22, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling in City of Los Angeles v Patel that has implications for ballot access lawsuits. The case itself has nothing to do with election law, but clarifies when plaintiffs can make facial challenges instead of just as-applied challenges.
This commentary by Ian Millhiser at Think Progress develops this concept, although Millhiser explains it in relation to laws restricting abortion.
The facial versus as-applied challenge matter has been especially vexing when plaintiffs recently have filed lawsuits against early petition deadlines. Currently such lawsuits are pending in Arizona, Arkansas, and South Dakota. Thanks to How Appealing for the link.
