There are two pending federal lawsuits in Michigan that will affect the ability of Congressman John Conyers to appear on the August 5 Democratic primary ballot. The case that had been filed first, Davis v Johnson, has been delayed somewhat. Judge Gershwin Drain, who had been set to handle the case, has recused himself. The case is now transferred to Judge Matthew Leitman, who will hear the case on May 21.

Judge Drain did not say why he recused himself, but presumably it is because he is a friend of Congressman Conyers. Both judges are Obama appointees.

On May 13, Nebraska held primaries for the Republican, Democratic, and Libertarian Parties. Here is a link to the unofficial returns for all three parties. The only contested Libertarian primary was for U.S. House, 2nd district.

Both houses of the Oklahoma legislature have now appointed representatives to a conference committee for HB 2134. This is the bill that lowers the number of signatures for newly-qualifying parties. The Senate version of the bill also lowers the number of signatures for independent presidential candidates and the presidential nominees of unqualified parties.

The purpose of a conference committee is to work out a common bill that both houses are likely to support. The bill has already passed both houses, but different versions passed in each house. The legislature adjourns May 30.