California State Court Rules that Persons Sent to Mandatory Supervision May Register to Vote

Posted on by May 7, 2014
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In 2011, the California legislature created new classes of methods for dealing with individuals convicted of certain crimes: “Mandatory Supervision” and “Post-Release Community Supervision.” On May 7, a California Superior Court in Alameda County ruled that individuals in those categories may register to vote. The case is Scott v Bowen, RG14-712570.

California law denies persons imprisoned or on parole from registering to vote. The decision interprets these laws not to apply to the two newer categories. This case had been filed by the American Civil Liberties Union earlier this year. See the ACLU press release here. The press release has a link to the decision. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link.

Eric O’Keefe, Former Libertarian Party National Director, Wins Injunctive Relief Against Wisconsin Government Campaign Finance Investigation

Posted on by May 7, 2014
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On May 6, U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph T. Randa, a George Bush Sr. appointee, issued a 26-page injunction in O’Keefe v Schmitz, eastern district, 14-C-139. The order tells Wisconsin prosecutors to cease their search for evidence that the Club for Growth and Eric O’Keefe coordinated campaign spending with Governor Scott Walker during 2012 when the Governor was subject to a recall vote.

O’Keefe is a former national director of the Libertarian Party, and is now a director and treasurer for Wisconsin Club for Growth. Here is a copy of the court order. See this news story about the lawsuit.

New York Republicans Argue in Court that Working Families U.S. House Petition is Invalid Because Circulator is Not a New York State Resident

Posted on by May 7, 2014
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On May 6, a New York state trial court heard arguments in a challenge to Congressman Dan Maffei’s petition to be on the Working Families Party primary ballot. The challengers argue that the signatures were collected by an individual who is not really a New York state resident. See this story. Maffei is the Democratic incumbent in the 24th district, and he is running for re-election. Maffei hopes to be on the Working Families primary ballot so that in November, he will be listed as that party’s nominee, in addition to being listed as the Democratic Party’s nominee.

No one in the state court proceedings is raising the constitutional point that New York’s ban on out-of-state circulators may violate the First Amendment.

The 24th U.S. House district is centered on Syracuse, and is considered a swing district.