On July 3, the Second Circuit issued an opinion in Upstate Jobs Party v Kosinski, 21-2518.  It upholds New York campaign finance laws that allow qualified parties to make unlimited contributions to their own nominees in the general election, but does not permit unqualified parties to do the same.  The decision also upholds New York laws that allow individuals to contribute twice as much money to the nominee of a qualified party as to the nominee of an unqualified party.

Here is the opinion.  It is authored by Judge Debra Ann Livingston, a Bush Jr. appointee.  It is also signed by Judge Reena Raggi, a Bush Jr. appointee; and William J. Nardini, a Trump appointee.

The case had been filed in 2018 by the Upstate Jobs Party, which has never been a qualified party.  It can’t ever be a qualified party because its policy is not to run for statewide office.  Because New York law defines a party as a group that polled a certain share of the vote for President or Governor, it can never qualify.  When the lawsuit was filed, the definition of a party was substantially easier than it is now, but the panel did not mention that point.

The New Mexico Secretary of State’s office says the Free New Mexico Party petition, and the Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. petition, have enough valid signatures.  The independent petition for Cornel West did not have enough signatures.

The Free New Mexico Party is the affiliate of the national Libertarian Party in New Mexico, and it is running Chase Oliver for president..

The ballot-qualified Libertarian Party of New Mexico still hasn’t chosen its presidential nominee.  The Green Party is also on the ballot and will nominate Jill Stein.  The Party for Socialism and Liberation is on and will nominate Claudia De La Cruz.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., is submitting his second Nevada petition.  See this story.  His first one didn’t list anyone for vice-president.  He sued and his case is unresolved, but then he spent the money to do an entire new petition.