Arizona HB 2826 passed the House on March 1, and passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 12. It would eliminate all elections for public office in Arizona, except in August and November of even-numbered years.

The bill, if signed into law, would likely be held unconstitutional, as applied to vacancies in the U.S. House that occur in the first nine months of odd-numbered years. The law might also be held to violate the Arizona Constitution, which has protections for referenda and recall. The bill applies to all local jurisdictions, even those with a Charter. See this article. If the bill is signed into law, it would not cancel odd-year elections in 2013, but would cancel them in 2015 and future odd years. Thanks to Joshua Spivak for the news.

Shaun Winkler, a member of the White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, is running for Sheriff of Bonner County, Idaho, in the May 15 Republican primary, according to this story.

The Arkansas Democratic Party is carrying on a lawsuit to prevent former State Representative Fred Smith from appearing on its primary ballot. Smith wants to return to the legislature. See this story.