Fairvote’s web page has this interesting world map, which attempts to show what type of election system is used in each country. The map really can’t show this information for the tiniest countries, but it is still a valuable resource.
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On April 7, the Nebraska Senate unanimously passed LB 367, a bill introduced by Senator Michael Groene of North Platte. The bill repeals the law that makes it illegal to pay initiative circulators on a per-signature basis.
Senator Groene is a freshman, elected in 2014. Before he was elected to the legislature, he was a leader in several initiative petition campaigns. In 2006 he was the lead plaintiff in a federal lawsuit against several local governments that restricted petitioning on public property. That lawsuit, Groene v Seng, was victorious.
Senator Groene’s web page says his LB 367 was his number one legislative priority this year. Thanks to Kent Bernbeck for this news.
On April 6, the North Dakota Senate passed HB 1181, which requires special elections when a U.S. Senate vacancy occurs. The bill had already passed the House on February 24.
On April 6, Huffington Post Live carried this interview with Jill Stein, who is seeking the Green Party presidential nomination.
Here is the text of California’s AB 1461. The bill was amended on April 6 to eliminate the prior contents. The new contents provide that the state will notify everyone who is not registered to vote, but who has a state ID card or drivers license, that he or she will be automatically registered unless hr or she declines in the next three weeks. The author is Assemblymember Lorenz Gonzalez (D-San Diego). Thanks to Steve Chessin for this news. The bill is similar to the Oregon bill signed last month.