On May 17, five members of the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a bill to protect certain kinds of voting rights. The lead sponsor is John Lewis of Georgia. His bill, which doesn’t have a bill number yet, is co-sponsored by James Clyburn of South Carolina, Steny Hoyer of Maryland, Robert Brady of Pennsylvania, and John Conyers of Michigan. All are Democrats.

The bill can be seen here. It requires states to permit ex-felons to register to vote in federal elections, and it requires states to provide for election-day registration. It requires states to let individuals to file voter registration forms if they are at least sixteen years old, even though those individuals could not vote until they are 18. The bill requires states to take certain steps to make it easier to register to vote.

The bill is somewhat similar to HR 108, by John Conyers, which was introduced last year but which has not made any headway.

On May 9, the Ninth Circuit heard oral argument in Libertarian Party of Los Angeles County v Bowen, 11-55316. This case challenges a California state law that makes it illegal for petitioners to work outside their home district, when they are circulating petitions to place candidates on the ballot for district office. The law also makes it illegal for petitioners to work outside their home county.

The panel consisted of Judges Harry Pregerson, Susan P. Graber, and Marsha S. Berzon. The judges seemed to believe that it is wrong for the California Secretary of State to say in court that she doesn’t enforce the requirement, when her web page says she does enforce it. One of the judges even said to the state’s attorney, “I suggest you advise your client to stop lying on the documents she promulgates to the public.”

On May 16, the Maine legislature passed LD 1826, which eliminates the portion of the state income tax form that lets taxpapers send a small contribution to the political party of the taxpayers’ choice. The bill has been sent to the Governor.

This is bad news for the Green Party, which in the recent past has received approximately half its budget from the income tax receipts. In some years during the past decade, the Green Party has received more money from the fund than the Republican Party has.

Also on May 16, the legislature passed LD 1882, which provides for a study of whether Maine should re-enact provision for a presidential primary, and if so, when it should be held. If Maine brings back its presidential primary, it is likely that the state will try to have it very early in the year.