Nebraska Bills to End Letting Each U.S. House District Elect Its Own Presidential Elector

Posted on by February 4, 2025
6

Two bills have been introduced in the Nebraska legislature to end the practice of letting each U.S. House district choose its own presidential elector.

Senator Loren Lippincott (R-Central City) introduced LB 3, an ordinary proposed statute.

Senator Myron Dorn (R-Adams) introduced LR24CA, which is a proposed amendment to the State Constitution. It would provide that all presidential electors be elected by a statewide vote. Because it would amend the Constitution, it would require a popular vote in 2026. That would give the voters a chance to decide if they like the current system, or whether they want all the electors chosen statewide, as is done in 48 states.

Indiana Bill for a Closed Primary Passes Committee

Posted on by February 4, 2025
Reply

On February 3, the Indiana Senate Elections Committee passed SB 201. It changes Indiana from an open primary to a closed primary. Here is the text.

Like many of these bills, there is no acknowledgment of the U.S. Supreme Court decision Tashjian v Republican Party of Connecticut (1986), which said that if parties want to let independents vote in their primaries, state law cannot interfere. The Indiana bill has no provision for parties with primaries to decide this for themselves, and merely says that no one may vote in a primary if that voter is not registered in the party.

Pennsylvania Bill to Let Candidates on Primary Ballots If They Pay Very Large Fees

Posted on by February 3, 2025
30

In Pennsylvania, candidates seeking a spot on a primary ballot must submit petitions. Representative Seth Grove (R-Dover Township) has introduced HB 115, which would give primary candidates an alternative method of running. They would not need a petition if they paid a filing fee. Candidates for statewide office would pay $38,500. Candidates for U.S. House would pay $10,000; for State Senate, $5,000; for State Representative, $3,000.