The North Carolina legislature is not now in session, but some legislative committees are still holding study sessions. This article describes a recent committee discussion about how state judges should be chosen. Currently all state judges are elected in non-partisan elections. Many observers feel the voters are not informed about judicial candidates. Some want to return to partisan elections, so that at least voters would know the partisan affiliation of candidates for judicial office; others want to switch to appointing judges instead of electing them.

The South Carolina Supreme Court will soon construe the state’s election law to determine if the Republican Party must pay for all of the administrative costs of the January 21, 2012 Republican presidential primary. The Court issued a briefing schedule, and all briefs will have been filed by November 7. The case is Beaufort County v South Carolina Election Commission.

On October 24, the Missouri legislature adjourned its special session without having taken any action to cancel the February 7 presidential primary. Thereofore, it will go ahead, for the Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, and Constitution Parties. The Libertarian Party has used its Missouri presidential primary before, but 2012 will be the first time Missouri has held a presidential primary for the Constitution Party. Thanks to Frontloading HQ for this news.