The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that names on petitions are valid, even when the signer uses a shortened form of his or her first name. The Court reversed the Commonwealth Court, which had invalidated these signatures: one in which the signer signed “Ed” when his name is really Edward; one in which the signer signed “Cindy” when her name is Cynthia; one in which the signer used “Ray” instead of Raymond; and one in which the signature reads “Don” instead of Donald.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision was made last year, but just now has been reported. It is In re Nomination Petition of Gales, 54 A.3d 855 (2012).

Missouri HB 110 has already passed one Committee and will soon receive a vote on the House floor. It provides that when one of the state’s elective statewide executive posts becomes vacant, a special election will be held in the next statewide election. Under current law, the Governor appoints someone until the next regularly-scheduled election for that office. See this story. A similar bill, SB 82, is pending in the State Senate.

Missouri elects all its statewide executive posts in presidential election years. In November 2012, the only statewide race for state office won by the Republicans was Lieutenant Governor (which is elected separately from Governor). The current Republican Lieutenant Governor, Peter Kinder, wants to run in the upcoming special U.S. House election, 8th district. If he wins, the Lieutenant Governor’s office will be vacant. Republicans have more than two-thirds of the seats in each house of the legislature, so even if the Democratic Governor, Jay Nixon, vetoes the bill, Republicans can probably override his veto.

Also, Senator John Lamping (R-Ladue) has introduced SJR 4, a proposed amendment to the State Constitution that would provide that Governor and Lieutenant Governor be elected jointly.

Georgia State Senator Buddy Carter (R-Pooler) has introduced SB 3, to provide for non-partisan elections for county offices.