On July 25, the Michigan Supreme Court heard arguments in the case over whether a particular statewide referendum petition is valid. The state Canvassing Board had invalidated the petition on the grounds that the law requires 14 point type and the petition was printed in 12 point type. The State Court of Appeals had then reversed and had said the petition is valid. Here is an article about the State Supreme Court hearing.
Seth Moulton, an independent with good credentials who considered whether to become an independent candidate for U.S. House in Massachusetts this year, announced on July 26 that he will not run. See this story. The only reason he ever considered running is that the Democratic incumbent, who is running for re-election, has had some embarrassing revelations about himself made public recently. The district is strongly Democratic.
The American Bar Association, Section of State and Local Government Law, has just published the Second Edition of “America Votes!”. It is described as “A Guide to Modern Election Law and Voting Rights.” The second edition, unlike the first edition, contains a chapter on ballot access laws.
The book’s title “America Votes!” should not be confused with the series of election return books published by Congressional Quarterly and authored by Rhodes Cook, which are titled “America Votes”.
On July 26, the Oklahoma Elections Board held its regular lottery to determine the order of parties on the November ballot. See this story. Democrats will appear first, followed by Republicans and then Americans Elect. However, it is still possible the Libertarian Party will be added to the ballot. Currently, all sides are waiting for the U.S. District Court Judge to decide whether to let the Libertarian Party amend its complaint to add a specific point that requiring a newly-qualifying party to nominate by primary violates the U.S. Constitution, if the timing of that primary is such that the deadline must be as early as March 1.
This article says the Gary Johnson campaign is hopeful of raising enough money by July 30 to commit to a major advertising campaign on radio.
