Next Stage of California American Independent Party Internal Lawsuit

Posted on by March 30, 2010
Reply

The next step in the American Independent Party lawsuit over the identity of the actual state officers, King v Robinson, is that the Defendants will answer the Complaint on or before April 5, 2010. In a civil lawsuit, the “answer” is the initial response of the Defendants. Its purpose is for the Defendants to say whether they agree or disagree with the allegations contained in the Plaintiffs’ Complaint. The Complaint was filed over a year ago. UPDATE: an earlier version of this post said the answer is due April 25, but the commenter below is right and the answer is due April 5.

Final Brief Filed in U.S. Supreme Court in Case on Petitioning at the Polls

Posted on by March 30, 2010
Reply

On March 29, this reply brief was filed with the U.S. Supreme Court in Citizens for Police Accountability Political Committee v Browning, 09-861. The issue is whether Florida is violating the Constitution by letting exit pollsters station themselves within 25 feet of a polling place on election day, but refusing to let petitioners closer than 100 feet. Both groups only wish to talk to voters who are exiting the polling place.

The U.S. Supreme Court will probably decide whether to hear this case within the next three weeks. This reply brief is ten pages of text and is interesting reading. It is in response to the state’s March 19 brief, which is here.

Colorado Ballot Access Bill Advances

Posted on by March 29, 2010
Reply

On March 29, Colorado HB 1271 passed the Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee. This bill eases ballot access for independent candidates. It has already passed the House.

Current law says no one can be an independent candidate (except for President) who has been a registered member of a qualified party for an entire year before filing. The bill eases that to approximately five months before filing.

New York City Elections Board Lacks an Executive Director for Two Months, Just as City is Switching to New Vote-Counting Equipment

Posted on by March 29, 2010
Reply

The Gotham Gazette has this article, which explains that the New York city Board of Elections has been without an executive director since January, just as it is charged with using entirely new vote-counting equipment in this year’s elections. The story also explains how the Board has become a patronage plum for the Democratic and Republican Parties. Thanks to Gail Robinson for the link.