On October 27, a lower Arkansas state court ruled that one Republican nominee for the legislature does not meet the qualifications to hold office. See this story. He had been convicted of a misdemeanor in 1984. His name cannot be removed from the ballot, but signs will be posted at polling places telling voters that votes for him will not be counted.
On October 25, and again on October 26, lower state Kentucky courts ruled that two candidates for the legislature are not qualified because they did not have enough valid signatures. See this story. One candidate is an independent, who needed 100 signatures. The other is the Democratic nominee in his district. He needed two signatures to get on the primary ballot but only had one valid.
Because the ballots are already printed, notices will be posted in polling places that votes for these two candidates will not be counted.
On October 27, Rhode Island is holding a gubernatorial debate, in which all 7 ballot-listed candidates are participating. See this story. Thanks to Gene Berkman for the link. The candidates are the nominees of the Democratic, Republican, and Moderate Parties, and all four independent candidates.
On October 27, the California Secretary of State released the results of mock elections for Governor, U.S. Senator, and some state ballot propositions. These elections are held in many California schools. The results are from 389 schools, and involve the votes of 105,000 students. A few schools have yet to report.
For Governor, the student vote is: Jerry Brown, Democrat, 48.8%; Meg Whitman, Republican, 22.5%; Carlos Alvarez, Peace & Freedom, 15.0%; Laura Wells, Green, 5.8%; Chelene Nightingale, American Independent, 4.9%; Dale Ogden, Libertarian, 2.9%.
U.S. Senate: Barbara Boxer, Democrat, 48.5%; Carly Fiorina, Republican, 22.4%; Marsha Feinland, Peace & Freedom, 11.5%; Duane Roberts, Green, 7.3%; Edward Noonan, American Independent, 6.1%; Gail Lightfoot, Libertarian, 4.4%.
Student “mock elections” in California traditionally show more support for minor parties than is present in the electorate. In 2008, the California “mock election” for President had been: Obama, 73.8%; McCain, 20.7%; Nader, 2.4%; McKinney, 1.5%; Barr, 1.0%; Keyes, .7%.
On October 27, a U.S. District Court in Connecticut ruled that the state’s anti-electioneering law does not permit election officials to tell voters that they cannot wear clothing to the polls that refers to the World Wrestling Entertainment organization. See this story. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link.
