On November 23, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that he is appointing State Senator Abel Maldonado to be California’s new Lieutenant Governor. Senator Maldonado is the author of the “top-two open primary” ballot measure that will be on the June 2010 ballot. The State Senate must confirm him, but it is extremely likely that the Senate will approve the appointment. Maldonado is a Republican.

The office of Lieutenant Governor is vacant because the incumbent, Democrat John Garamendi, was elected to Congress in a special election earlier this month. California elects its Lieutenant Governor separately from its Governor.

The Minnesota Independence Party recently voted not to endorse the nominees of other political parties. She this story. Thanks to Bill Van Allen for the link.

During the last three weeks, several election law bills in the U.S. House of Representatives have gained co-sponsors: HR 1826, to provide for non-discriminatory public funding for congressional campaigns, has gained 8 and now has 117; HR 3957, to let ex-felons in all states register to vote for federal elections, has gained 5 and now has 10; HR 2894, on vote-counting machines, gained 2 and how has 97; HR 3025, to provide for bipartisan boards to draw U.S. House boundaries, gained 1 and now has 23.