Arizona Legislature Passes Bill Requiring All Local Elections to be Held on August or November of Even-Numbered Years

On April 30, the Arizona legislature passed HB 2826, which requires that all local governments must hold all their elections in even-numbered years, either at the time of the August primary (for office other than President) or at the time of the November general election.

The bill had failed in the State Senate on April 4 by a vote of 11-17. However, the Senate had then decided to reconsider, and on April 19 the bill had passed by 16-13. It passed the House again on April 30 by 32-28. Opponents fear that the consequences will be a very crowded ballot in August of even-numbered years and November of even-numbered years. Proponents say that when localities hold odd-year elections at various times of the year, the turnout is often very low.

Connecticut House Passes Election-Day Registration Bill

On April 30, the Connecticut House passed HB 5024, which makes it possible for unregistered individuals to register on election day. Here is the text of the bill. The vote was 83-59. Now the bill goes to the Senate. See this story, which says the House debated for five hours on this bill.

The leading opponent of the bill in the House debate said that this bill would make it possible for “some brat from Virginia” to vote twice for President, once in Virginia and once in Connecticut. But this was already possible and not necessarily illegal. Because the Electoral College system exists, and because early voting exists in so many states, it is possible and legal for individuals to vote for President in more than one state. If a voter is domiciled in one state, he may vote in that state’s selection process for presidential electors, by using early voting. Then, in theory at least, that voter might change domicile to another state, and he or she could then legally vote in that other state’s process for choosing presidential electors. Technically, the two elections are separate elections. In each election, the true candidates are candidates for presidential elector, and the election in one particular state over whom the electors should be for that state is a separate election from the other state’s choice of presidential electors. This is one of the flaws of the Electoral College system.

Thanks to Josh Van Vranken for this news.

Oregon Republican Nominees for Attorney General and Treasurer Will be Determined by Write-in Votes

No one has qualified to be on the Republican primary ballot in Oregon for Attorney General or Treasurer. So, whoever wins the most write-ins in the Republican primary will be the Republican nominees. Republican Party officials are afraid the Democratic candidates will try to persuade Republican voters to write-in in the Democratic candidates. To counter than, the Republican Party is asking registered Republicans to write in James Buchal for Attorney General and Thomas Cox for Treasurer. See this story.