On October 6, a Michigan State Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that a recall election set for November 8 should not be held. The Court did not explain its reasoning. Ballots have already been printed. The recall was aimed at state Representative Paul H. Scott, author of a bill that passed this year making it easier to fire teachers. The teachers were the prime force behind the recall petition. The case is Scott v Director of Elections, 306155.

Scott argued that the statement on the recall petitions, explaining why he should be repealed, was untruthful. On September 12 a lower court had ruled that the recall should go ahead, and that it was not the function of a court to determine whether the statement on the petition was true or not. Scott also argued that until his lawsuit over the statement had been settled, elections officials should not have validated the petition. The petition had 11,000 signatures, and elections officials ruled that it had more than enough valid signatures.

No Michigan legislator has been recalled since 1983.

On October 6, according to this story, Olivia Cortes withdrew from the November 8, 2011 special recall election for Arizona State Senate in Senator Russell Pearce’s district. However, her name will remain on ballots, but notices will be posted at polling places saying she is no longer a candidate. If anyone votes for her anyway, the vote won’t be counted. The lower state court hearing in the lawsuit over whether she should be removed from the ballot has been canceled.

On October 6, Americans Elect released a 39-page book, describing how presidential candidates may obtain a place in the Americans Elect presidential primary. The book also explains how groups that want to draft a presidential candidate may proceed. The title is “Briefing Book for Candidates and Draft Committees, 2012 Presidential Nomination Process.”

This is only a draft, and Americans Elect is seeking input from all interested individuals on ways in which to improve the process.