On January 10, four Missouri state representatives introduced HB 1236, which deletes the accidental error in the 1993 ballot access reform bill that requires party petitions to include the names of presidential elector candidates. In general, the Missouri petition to qualify a new party for the ballot does not carry the names of any nominees. The party submits the names of its nominees, for public office generally, after the petition has been circulated.

But due to a drafting error in the law, made in 1993, the law still says the party petition has to list candidates for presidential elector. The bill would fix the error. The bill is sponsored by Republican representatives Sue Entlicher, Tony Dugger, John Diehl, and Democratic representative Jill Schupp.

On January 27, the Administrative Law Judge who is hearing the challenge to President Obama’s spot on the Georgia Democratic presidential primary asked that post-trial briefs be submitted by Wednesday, February 1. Previously the deadline for such briefs had been February 5. It is expected that the Administrative Law Judge will then rule by February 3. Thanks to Bill Van Allen for this news.

On January 27, a U.S. District Court Judge in Missouri ruled against proponents of a local initiative in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. The case is Rexroat v City of Poplar Bluff, eastern district, 1:11cv-224. Missouri law says local initiatives in some kinds of cities need signatures equal to 25% of the last vote cast for Mayor, and that local initiatives in certain other types of cities need 25% of the number of registered voters. The proponents have enough valid signatures under the first standard, but not under the second standard. The judge ruled that Poplar Bluff is the type of city with the more onerous requirement, so the initiative is off the ballot. The subject of the initiative was regulation of cable systems.