On February 17, U.S. District Court Judge William K. Watkins held a status conference in Stein v Chapman, the Alabama ballot access case. The plaintiffs have asked for injunctive relief against the March 6 petition deadline for minor party petitions. To move the case along quickly, the plaintiffs will file their brief by February 24, along with evidence. If the Secretary of State feels that the evidence is insufficient, and that depositions are needed, she will say so by March 2. If there is a dispute about whether depositions are needed, the court will be notified by March 9. In any event, the state’s brief is due March 26. Plaintiffs may rebut no later than April 9, and the Judge hopes to rule sometime during April.

On February 16, the New York Assembly Election Law Committee passed A9271, which moves the independent petition deadline from August to May. The bill also lowers the number of signatures for a candidate to get on a primary ballot by 25%, and shrinks the petitioning period for primary petitions from 38 days to 28 days. The bill does not change the number of signatures needed for independent candidates.

If the bill is signed into law in its present wording, it would be unconstitutional, because the independent petition deadline would not pass muster under Anderson v Celebrezze.

On February 16, the Idaho Senate State Affairs Committee passed HB 391, which abolishes the presidential primary. The bill has already passed the House. It takes effect immediately. The Idaho presidential primary is currently scheduled for May 15.