On August 20, the Putnam County, Tennessee, County Commission, passed a resolution, asking the county’s Democratic and Republican Parties not to hold primaries for county office in 2010. See this story. The county is trying to save money. The last primary cost the taxpayers $60,000. Tennessee holds primaries for county office in midterm years in May. The statewide primary for Congress and state office is in August in midterm years.

If there were no primary for county offices, the candidates would all qualify as independent candidates, which only requires 25 signatures, but there would be no party labels on the ballot.

On October 20, a state court in Washington maintained privacy protections for initiative petition signers, so that they are now treated the same as people who sign referendum petitions. See this story.

On October 20, U.S. District Court Judge John C. Coughenour set a trial date in Washington State Republican Party v State, cv-05-927. This is the lawsuit over the constitutionality of the “top-two” election system. The attorneys estimate the trial will last for four or five days and will involve social science experts.