On September 24, an Illinois Circuit Court ruled that the Constitution Party has at least 24,920 valid signatures on the petition for its statewide slate.  The law requires 25,000 signatures.  The judge restored approximately 2,500 signatures that the State Board of Elections had invalidated.  The Constitution Party believes it can show that it does have more than 25,000 valid, by obtaining affidavits from certain signers whose signature doesn’t seem to match the handwriting on that voter’s affidavit of registration.  Further court proceedings are expected early next week.  Thanks to Gary Odom for this news.  The case is Constitution Party v State Board of Elections, 2010 COEL 8.

On September 24, a West Virginia state circuit court ruled that the state should use one ballot this November, not two ballots.  The Republican Party had sued the Secretary of State, arguing that there should be one ballot for the special U.S. Senate election and another ballot for the regularly-scheduled elections.  See this story.  Thanks to Jeff Becker for the news.

On September 23, the West Virginia Supreme Court ruled that the names and addresses of people who sign petitions for ballot measures may be released to the public.  The 14-page decision is The Shepherdstown Observer v Maghan, 35446.  The particular petition at issue was a referendum petition on zoning.  Proponents of the petition drive did not allege that signers of their petition faced harassment.

In 1968 the West Virginia Supreme Court had ruled that signatures on the petition that placed George Wallace on the general election ballot were not public records.  The new decision does not override that precedent.  Instead it makes a distinction between the two types of petitions.  Thanks to Jeff Becker for this news.