Two members of the U.S. House of Representatives have introduced HB 936, which would outlaw straight-ticket devices in federal elections. The law adds one sentence to the federal “Help America Vote Act” law: “No state may provide a voter with the opportunity to indicate the selection of a political party as a representation of the selection of an individual candidate.”

The Hill has this story about the bill, which is sponsored by Congressman Jim Matheson (D-Utah) and Charlie Dent (R-Pa). Both of the sponsors represent states that have the straight-ticket device. The story about the bill says 15 states have the straight-ticket device, but New Jersey does not have a straight-ticket device in general elections. Thanks to Art DiBianca for the link.

The Tennessee Senate State and Local Government Committee will hear SB 1091 on March 26. This is the bill that lowers the number of signatures for a newly-qualifying party from 2.5% of the last gubernatorial vote, to exactly 1,000 signatures. Thanks to Daniel Lewis for this news.

On March 4, an Alameda County Superior Court set a February 18, 2014 trial date for Rubin v Bowen, the case filed by the Peace & Freedom, Libertarian, and Green Parties that argues that the top-two system in practice injures the voting rights of voters who wish to vote for minor party candidates in November. The state will still attempt to persuade the Court to cancel the trial and dismiss the case, and a hearing on that is somewhat likely in June or July 2013.