On November 8, 2011, Virginia House member Lacey Putney was re-elected with 42% in a 3-way race. See this story. He had opponents from both major parties. He has been elected and re-elected as an independent every two years (in odd years), starting in 1971. He is age 83. Before he was an independent, he was a Democrat.
On November 10, the city of Aspen, Colorado, asked the State Supreme Court to reverse the ruling of the State Court of Appeals, that said after an election is over, ballots can be shown to members of the public on request, as long as nothing reveals which voter cast which ballot. See this story.
According to this story, Arizona Representative Jack Harper believes that the Arizona Constitution requires that the state reimburse Senator Russell Pearce for his campaign expenses in the recent recall election. However, there is no indication whatsoever that Senator Pearce would ask for reimbursement. The article reveals that when former Governor Evan Mecham was the subject of a recall, as well as impeachment and removal by the Arizona legislature, he did make a claim and settled for several hundred thousand dollars.
On November 10, the Illinois League of Women Voters submitted this 6-page request for reconsideration in the League’s lawsuit against the legislative redistricting plan. As noted in an earlier post, a U.S. District Court on October 28 had rejected the League’s argument that the First Amendment prohibits partisan gerrymanders.
This Florida news story about the Buddy Roemer presidential campaign mentions that Roemer might run for President outside the two major parties, and also has a link to a Roemer campaign video, in which Roemer praises the “Occupy Wall Street” movement. Thanks to Nancy Hanks for the link.
