On May 3, the U.S. Supreme Court revealed that at its April 30 conference, it had decided to ask the Solicitor General of the United States to submit a brief in Simmons v Galvin, 09-920. This is the case from Massachusetts over whether the Voting Rights Act can ever apply to state laws that prevent felons or ex-felons from registering to vote. It will be fascinating to see what position the Solicitor General takes.

After the Court gets the Solicitor General’s brief, it will decide whether to hear the case.

According to this news story, former U.S. House member James Traficant of Ohio will file to run for the U.S. House in 2010, as an independent candidate. The petition deadline for independent candidates in Ohio this year is May 3. Traficant has not said which district he is running in. Independent candidates for U.S. House in Ohio need signatures equal to 1% of the last vote cast in that district for Governor. UPDATE: he is running in the 17th district in northeast Ohio. It is likely the Democratic nominee will be Traficant’s former staffer, incumbent Democrat Tim Ryan. See this story. The primaries are on May 4 and the identity of the Democratic primary winner is unknown for certain.

National Review Online has this interesting interview with Florida Governor Charlie Crist, who says about his decision to be an independent candidate, “I’m much happier now.” Thanks to PoliticalWire for the link.