Washington State Senator Craig Pridemore (D-Vancouver) has introduced SB 5119. It would abolish the presidential primary for 2012. In 2008, the Washington presidential primary was on February 19. The bill was introduced at the request of the Secretary of State. The Governor also supports the bill, because abolishing the presidential primary would save taxpayer dollars. Thanks to Josh Putnam of Frontloading HQ for this news. Frontloading HQ is the premier news source for news about state legislative bills that affect presidential primaries.

Arizona Representative John Kavanagh (R-Fountain Hills) has introduced HCR 2005. It would require initiative proponents to obtain at least half their signatures from circulators who were not being paid. See this story. The bill would probably be held unconstitutional if it were passed by the legislature and then by the voters. In 1988, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that states cannot bar paid circulators.

By analogy, in 1978, a U.S. District Court struck down Maryland’s March petition deadline for independent and minor party candidates. The legislature then passed a new law, saying one-third of the signatures for a minor party or independent candidate had to be submitted by the same March deadline, but that the remainder were not due until August. Another U.S. District Court in 1980 struck that law down as well, and the 4th circuit affirmed. Thanks to Ballot Box News for the link.

Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post has this interesting article about the probable effects of California’s new redistricting process, in relation to U.S. House elections. The column expects that some incumbents will lose their seats. Thanks to Rick Hasen’s ElectionLawBlog for the link.