Kansas Democrat May be Kept off Primary Ballot Because Secretary of State’s Office Can’t Find his Declaration of Intent

Posted on by June 17, 2012
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Larry Meeker is the only Democrat who filed for the Kansas State House seat, 17th district. He says staff of the Kansas State House Democratic leader filed his declaration of candidacy in the Secretary of State’s office on the deadline, June 11. But the Secretary of State’s office says it can’t find the form and that he will not be on the ballot. See this story. Meeker is appealing the decision to an administrative body that has the power to alter the decision.

Normally the Kansas primary filing deadline would have been June 1, but it was delayed because of redistricting challenges. The primary is August 7. Thanks to Bill Van Allen for the link.

One of California’s Statewide Ballot Measures from June 5 Election is Still Too Close to Call

Posted on by June 17, 2012
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California only had two statewide ballot measures on the June 5, 2012 ballot. The votes won’t all be counted until the first week in July. As this story shows, the measure to impose a new tax on cigarettes was trailing on election night by 63,000 votes, but at this point, it is only behind by 17,000 votes, with many votes still uncounted.

New Hearing Date Set for Minor Party Challenge to Top-Two Open Primary

Posted on by June 17, 2012
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The Alameda County Superior Court will hold a hearing in Rubin v Bowen on August 28, 2012, at 9 a.m., in Oakland. The case, filed last year by the Peace & Freedom, Libertarian, and Alameda County Green Parties challenges the essence of the top-two system, on the grounds that it injures the voting rights of voters who wish to vote in November for minor party candidates.

The judge who has this case has already declined to issue injunctive relief, but he has permitted the plaintiffs to file an amended complaint, which was filed on May 10, 2012. Here is the state’s brief, trying to persuade the judge to dismiss the case.