On July 15, a state trial court in Michigan ruled that Mike Duggan may be a write-in candidate for Mayor of Detroit. One of his opponents had sued to prevent him from filing as a declared write-in candidate. The opponent seemed not to understand that the reason 45 states have write-ins, at least in some circumstances, is to enhance the voting freedom of voters. See this story.
On July 15, the Illinois Libertarian Party filed this final brief in U.S. District Court, in its lawsuit to overturn the unique Illinois law that requires newly-qualifying parties (but not other parties) to run a full slate of candidates. The state will then file a response and then the court will make a decision. Earlier in this same case, another U.S. District Court Judge already enjoined the requirement.
On June 13, the New Jersey Libertarian Party state meeting decided not to run anyone for U.S. Senate in the October 16, 2013 special election. No other minor party or independent candidate seems to have announced plans to run anyone either. It is possible that the ballot will list only the Democratic and Republican nominees. Any other candidate could get on the ballot with 800 valid signatures by mid-August.
Tom Barrow, a candidate for Mayor of Detroit, is seeking a court injunction to prevent his rival, write-in candidate Mike Duggan, from even distributing literature explaining how to cast a write-in vote. Barrow claims that because Duggan is not on the ballot, therefore he also can’t be a write-in candidate. See this story.
On July 12, an Oregon State Appeals Court issued a ruling in a case that challenges a state law that says no one may simultaneously be a volunteer petitioner for one initiative, while being paid to get signatures on another initiative. See this story. The Court said the issue is moot.
