The U.S. Supreme Court considered whether or not to hear American Tradition Partnership v Bullock at its June 14 conference. But, on the morning of June 18, the Court did not release any decision about whether it will hear the case. Instead, the U.S. Supreme Court will consider that case again at its June 21 conference. If it makes a decision at the June 21 conference, the public won’t hear what was decided until June 25.

The case arose in Montana. On December 30, 2011, the Montana Supreme Court had upheld that state’s ban on independent expenditures by corporations and unions, even though the Montana Supreme Court’s opinion seems to contradict the U.S. Supreme Court 2010 decision Citizens United v Federal Election Commission. The people who had sued Montana are now hoping the U.S. Supreme Court will reverse the Montana Supreme Court.

On Saturday, June 16, the Iowa Republican Party state convention chose delegates to the national convention. Iowa has 28 delegates. 21 of them are Ron Paul supporters. See this story.

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.