The results of the Iowa Republican straw poll of August 13 are: (1) Michelle Bachmann 4,823; (2) Ron Paul 4,671; (3) Tim Pawlenty 2,293; (4) Rick Santorum 1,657; (5) Herman Cain 1,456; (6) Rick Perry 718 (write-in); (7) Mitt Romney 567; (8) Newt Gingrich 385; (9) Jon Huntsman 69; (10) Thad McCotter 35. There were another 162 scattering votes.
Four years ago, Mitt Romney won the Iowa Republican straw poll.
On August 13, the Michigan Republican Party state committee decided to use a presidential primary in 2012 to choose delegates to the national convention, instead of a caucus. The primary will probably be held on February 28. See this story. The February 28 date is not in accordance with the national Republican Party’s rules. Thanks to Thomas Jones for the link.
On August 12, a lower state court in Arizona ruled that the recall petition against State Senator Russell Pearce has enough valid signatures. See this story. The decision will be appealed. Pearce is President of the State Senate. UPDATE: here is the opinion, which is called Ross v Bennett, cv11-011864.
Tom Ramstack, a reporter for the Washington Times, has written this interesting story about the lawsuit Igartua v U.S.A. This is the case on whether Puerto Rico should have voting representatives in Congress. As noted earlier, on August 4, 2011, the First Circuit had denied a rehearing by a tie vote, 3-3. Ramstack believes that the Puerto Rico government, and the individual voter-plaintiff, are certain to appeal this decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. He also explains why he believes that the U.S. Supreme Court may hear this case. Specifically, he believes that Justice Sonia Sotomayor will be very interested in this case, and that perhaps she can persuade her fellow justices to take an interest in the case. The U.S. Supreme Court in the past has always declined to hear any voting rights case involving U.S. citizens who live in a territory or commonwealth.
On August 12, a lower state court in Colorado ruled that Saguache County, Colorado, must turn over its ballots from the August 2010 primary, and the November 2010 general election, for a hand recount. The Secretary of State’s office will do the recount. The Secretary of State has been working for this outcome for several months. See this story. Several lawsuits have been filed by individuals and groups who do not believe the ES&S machine count was accurate.
