The U.S. Supreme Court will hear Reed v Town of Gilbert, 13-502, on January 12, 2015. This is not an election law case, but it is a case involving the First Amendment, and all First Amendment decisions have some impact on election law. The issue in this case is a town ordinance that bans many kinds of signs. The ordinance was challenged by a church that wants to post permanent signs letting passersby know where the church holds its services. The church does not own its own permanent worship space.

Here is the brief of the town, defending its ban. Here is the church’s reply brief, filed December 15.

Rob Port’s blog that covers North Dakota politics has this op-ed by Richard Winger, on North Dakota’s ballot access law that has prevented any minor party candidates for the legislature from appearing on the November ballot (with the party label) for the last 38 years.

The Albuquerque Journal has this story about candidates who ran for New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, and who received and spent public funds for their campaign, even though they were unopposed in the election.