Utah Election Laws Passed in 2014 Survive Attempts to Change Them

All bills in the 2015 session of the Utah legislature to undo the changes to party nominations have failed.  See this story.  Therefore, the 2014 system will continue, at least for a year.  The 2014 changes make it possible for a candidate to get on a primary ballot even without showing substantial support at a party caucus or convention.  Also, the 2014 changes require all parties to let independents vote in their primaries.

Two Past U.S. Solicitors General Publish in Harvard Law Review on Who is a Natural-Born Citizen

Paul Clement and Neal Katyal, both past Solicitors General for the United States government, have written this article on Article II’s provision that a president must be a natural-born citizen.  Apparently they were moved to write about this subject because U.S. Senator Ted Cruz is running for President and he was born in Canada.  Thanks to Howard Bashman for the link.

Pope Francis Seems to Endorse Public Funding of Election Campaigns

Pope Francis I recently said, “Perhaps public financing would allow for me, the citizen, to know that I’m financing each candidate with a given amount of money.”  He made other remarks that show he is worried that when campaigns are funded privately, good government is less likely.  See this story.  Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link.