The Portland Daily Sun has this article, explaining that Maine’s primary petition ballot access requirements are uniquely burdensome, as applied to small ballot-qualified parties. Generally, the mainstream press in Maine had not previously publicized this information. Most people who live in Maine, even if they are interested in politics, are not aware of the problem. The Daily Sun is both a print publication and an on-line publication, with a paper edition five days a week. Thanks to Thomas MacMillan for the link.

On March 26, a Superior Court in Sacramento removed a California Republican from the primary ballot on the grounds that he only has 38 valid signatures, instead of 40 signatures. See this story. This is the case involving the U.S. House race, 17th district. A supporter of the leading Republican candidate in the race had argued that the two other Republicans who filed at the last minute are “sham” candidates, who entered the race to injure the chances that the Republican who filed first can poll enough votes to qualify for the November ballot. The second “sham” candidate remains on the ballot, because the court found no legal reason to remove him. Thanks to AroundtheCapitol for the link.

On March 22, the Massachusetts Republican Party held its statewide endorsements convention. According to party rules, no one may run for statewide office in the Republican primary unless the candidate got 15% or more support at the meeting. Charlie Baker got 2,095 votes at the meeting; Mark Fisher got 374; and 64 ballots were blank for Governor. See this story Fisher got 15.14% of the vote if the blanks are excluded, but 14.765% if they are included.

According to this later story, Fisher may bring a lawsuit, arguing that he met the 15% threshold and should be allowed to petition his way onto the Republican primary ballot. The law requires 10,000 signatures. The primary is September 9 and the primary petition is due May 6. UPDATE: this March 31 story says he will sue on April 1.

In 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously in Gutierrez v Ada, 528 U.S. 250, that blank votes don’t count when a determination is made as to whether a candidate received a majority. That case concerned an election for Governor of Guam, in which there were only two candidates on the ballot, but neither one of them received a majority if blank votes were included. The outcome of that case depended on statutory construction.