Larry Sabato Says a Court ought to Settle Definition of “Natural-Born Citizen”

Posted on by May 3, 2013
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U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is being mentioned as a possible Republican nominee for President in 2016 or some later year. According to this story, Political Scientist Larry Sabato says there ought to be a court ruling on the meaning of the presidential qualification “natural-born citizen.” Senator Cruz was born in Canada. At the time of his birth, his father was a Cuban citizen and his mother was a U.S. citizen. Cruz’ father did not become a U.S. citizen until Ted Cruz himself was an adult.

One possibility not discussed in the article is that the U.S. could just repeal the qualification and trust the voters to elect any U.S. Citizen who had attained the existing age and duration of residency requirements already in the Constitution. One wonders what good the “natural-born” qualification does, since its meaning is so obscure. Thanks to Bill Van Allen for the link.

Colorado Legislature Passes Bill for Mail Balloting

Posted on by May 3, 2013
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On May 3, the Colorado legislature passed HB 1303, which, if signed, will make Colorado the third state to use postal voting. Counties would be required to open offices at which voters could register to vote, obtain a ballot, and cast a ballot; this is important for individuals who don’t have a secure place to receive postal mail.

Only Washington and Oregon now use universal postal balloting. Colorado’s bill differs somewhat from Washington and Oregon by providing not only for universal postal balloting, but by permitting unregistered voters to register at the county voting centers as late as election day.

The bill had been introduced on April 10, and moved swiftly through the legislature. The House had passed it on April 19; the Senate had passed it on May 2; and the House had concurred with Senate amendments on May 3. Governor John Hickenlooper is expected to sign it. Here is a copy of the bill. To keep the list of voter addresses up-to-date, the bill requires the Secretary of State to conduct monthly change-of-address searchs using the postal data base. The Colorado Association of County Clerks wrote the bill, and former Republican Secretary of State Donetta Davidson supports the bill, but the current Republican Secretary of State, Scott Gessler, vehemently opposes the bill, as did Republicans in the state legislature.

Texas Bill for Executive Office Term Limits Moves Ahead

Posted on by May 2, 2013
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A proposed Texas constitutional amendment, SJR 13, is making headway in the Texas legislature. It would ask the voters in November 2013 if they wish to amend the state constitution to impose term limits on these statewide executive posts: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Comptroller, Attorney General, Land Commissioner, Railroad Commissioner, and Agriculture Commissioner. It passed the Senate on March 19, and it passed the policy committee in the House on April 17.

The amendment would allow two consecutive terms. It would not bar someone from running for office if he or she had already had two terms, as long as the new term was not consecutive. If passed, service earlier than 2014 would not count toward the restriction. Texas is now one of only 15 states with no gubernatorial term limits. Thanks to Jim Riley for this news.

Colorado Independent Candidate Files Opening Brief in 10th Circuit, in Case Challenging Discriminatory Contribution Limits

Posted on by May 2, 2013
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On May 2, Kathleen Curry, an independent write-in candidate for the Colorado legislature in 2010, filed her opening brief in the 10th circuit in Riddle v Hickenlooper, 13-1108. This is the lawsuit that challenges Colorado law that lets individuals contribute $400 to a candidate for the legislature who is nominated by primary, but only $200 to a candidate for the legislature who is either a write-in candidate, or a petitioning candidate, or a candidate nominated by convention.