New Mexico State Court Sets Hearing Date in Case Challenging Closed Primaries

Posted on by January 27, 2015
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A lower state court in Albuquerque will hear Crum v Duran on Tuesday, February 10, at 10 a.m. This is the case in which the plaintiff, an independent voter, argues that the New Mexico Constitution protects his right to vote in partisan primaries. The New Mexico State Constitution, Article VIII, section one, says, “Every person who is a qualified elector pursuant to the Constitution and laws of the United States and a citizen thereof shall be qualified to vote in all elections in New Mexico, subject to residency and registration requirements.”

Currently, the only parties entitled to their own primary in New Mexico are the Democratic and Republican Parties. Although either of them is free at any time to invite independents to vote in their primary, neither has done so.

The other recognized parties in New Mexico nominate by convention. They are the Constitution, Green, Independent American, and Libertarian Parties.

John Myers Analyzes the Upcoming U.S. Supreme Court Argument on Whether Independent Congressional Redistricting Commissions Violate Article One of the U.S. Constitution

Posted on by January 27, 2015
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John Myers of California public broadcasting has this clear and interesting article about the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court oral argument in Arizona State Legislature v Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. This is the case over whether Article One mandates that only state legislatures, and not other state agencies, can draw U.S. House district boundaries. Thanks to AroundtheCapitol for the link.

Montana Bill for All-Mail Balloting Withdrawn

Posted on by January 27, 2015
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Montana Representative Geraldine Custer has withdrawn HB 70, her bill to establish all postal voting for Montana. The bill had the support of Secretary of State Linda McCulloch, but Representative Custer and Secretary of State McCulloch determined that the bill would not pass, so it was withdrawn. Thanks to Mike Fellows for this news. The states that send a ballot in the postal mail to all voters are Oregon, Washington, and Colorado.

Michigan Bill to Eliminate Straight-Ticket Device

Posted on by January 27, 2015
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Michigan Senator Marty Knollenberg (R-Troy) has introduced SB 13, which abolishes the straight-ticket device. Republicans have a majority in both houses of the legislature, and Michigan has a Republican governor. The Michigan Republican Party has long been opposed to the straight-ticket device, so this bill has a good chance of passing. Thanks to Thomas Jones for this news.