Butch Ware Ballot Access Hearing in California Set for March 26

A California Superior Court will hear Ware v Weber, Superior Court 26WM000074, on Thursday, March 26, at 3:30 p.m. This is the lawsuit over whether Butch Ware, the Green Party candidate for Governor of California, should be on the June 2 primary ballot.

It is common in California trial courts for the judges to issue a tentative decision on the day before the hearing.

Eric Swalwell Tentatively Wins Residency Lawsuit

On March 20, Sacramento Superior Court Judge Shelleyanne Chang issued a tentative decision in Gilbert v Weber, 26WM000011. This is the case filed by a voter who alleges that the California Secretary of State has a duty to determine if Congressman Eric Swalwell meets the California Constitutional requirement of five years residence in California in order to run for Governor.

Here is the ruling, which says that the Secretary of State does not have a duty to investigate duration of residency requirements.

The decision takes no position on whether the U.S. Constitution bars California from having a duration of residency requirement in its state Constitution. UPDATE: see this news story about the decision.