A U.S. District Court in Little Rock, Arkansas, will hold a trial in Green Party of Arkansas v Daniels during the week of June 28-July 2. The issue is the state’s requirement that parties must poll 3% of the vote for President, in presidential years, or be removed from the ballot.

The case has been re-assigned to a brand new federal judge, Price Marshall, Jr.

The Green Party is petitioning for a place on the November 2010 ballot. Arkansas lets each party set its own 3-month petitioning period. The Green Party chose the period March 20-June 18, 2010. When the trial is held, the party will have submitted its petition, but it is unlikely that the state will have had time to check the signatures yet. The requirement is 10,000 signatures.

The Napa Valley Register, a daily newspaper in Napa, California, has this editorial opposing Proposition 14, the top-two ballot measure on the June 8, 2010 ballot. Thanks to Jeff Trigg for the link.

On the evening of May 18, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger held a fundraiser for Proposition 14, the top-two ballot measure, at his home in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles. Ten minor party activists demonstrated outside, with large signs and leaflets. Passersby were friendly, including some of the incoming guests. Relations with the police were friendly and relaxed. It is to be hoped that some of the guests (each of whom paid $50,000 to have dinner with the Governor and his wife) asked the Governor about how Proposition 14 affects minor party members and candidates.

Reporters from Fox and AP interviewed some of the protesters.