Congressman Andy Kim Insists His Lawsuit Over Ballot Format in New Jersey is Still a Pressing Issue, Even Though His Main Opponent Has Suspended Her Campaign

Posted on by March 25, 2024
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New Jersey Congressmember Andy Kim has been suing most New Jersey elections offices over the format of New Jersey primary ballots, which put the candidate favored by the county party in a much better spot on the ballot. On Sunday, March 24, his chief opponent, Tammy Murphy, said she is suspending her campaign for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination. The next day some Democratic county organizations that had been planning to put Murphy in the favored spot said they will now put Kim in the choice spot.

On March 25, Kim filed this letter brief, explaining that these developments do not moot his lawsuit. Furthermore, there are two Democratic U.S. House candidates, running in the Second and Third Districts, and they are part of his lawsuit also.

There will be a hearing in the case, Kim v Hanlon, 3:24cv-1098, on Tuesday, March 26, at 10:30 a.m.

Michigan State Court Asked to Resolve Intra-Party Libertarian Dispute

Posted on by March 25, 2024
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On March 14, the faction of the Michigan Libertarian Party that is not recognized by the national committee asked a Michigan state trial court to settle the dispute over the identity of the true state party officers. Saliba v Chadderdon, circuit court, Cheboygan County.

In the past, this lawsuit would have been barred by old Michigan precedents that state courts will not settle intra-party disputes. However, that has changed, because on February 27, 2024, another Michigan trial court did adjudicate the intra-party dispute in the Republican Party, and enjoined one set of officers from claing to be the actual officers. That case, which is ongoing, is Pego v Karamo.

Here is the Libertarian filing. Thanks to Third Party Watch for the link.

Georgia Opponents of Statewide Elections for Public Service Commissioner Ask U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Case

Posted on by March 27, 2024
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Voting rights activists in Georgia have been in court, trying to win a ruling that statewide elections for Public Service Commissioner, violate the federal Voting Rights Act, because they make it difficult for African-Americans to elect any candidates of their choice. They want district elections. The Commission has five members, and it would be easy to draw a majority Black district if there were district elections.

On March 24, they asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear their appeal. Rose v Raffensperger, 23-1060. Here is their cert petition.

Congressmember Don Beyer Again Introduces Bill for Proportional Representation in U.S. House

Posted on by March 25, 2024
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On March 20, Congressmember Don Beyer (D-Virginia) again introduced the Fair Representation Act, HR 7740. Here is the bill information on the website for Congress. For states that have at least seven members of the U.S. House, it would, if enacted, institute proportional representation in elections for the House.