On October 20, the 9th circuit heard oral arguments in Gonzalez v State of Arizona, 08-17094, over Arizona’s law that does not permit foreign-born U.S. citizens to register to vote until they show their Naturalization Certificate to elections officials. The 3-judge panel included former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. See this story. According to the story, O’Connor said a previous 9th circuit opinion, denying injunctive relief against the law, “was clearly wrong.” The earlier 9th circuit opinion, dated April 20, 2007, and found at 485 F.3d 1041, had been influenced by a U.S. Supreme Court order that also denied injunctive relief against that Arizona law.

This case is complicated because there is a federal law on voter registration, and it has never been clear to what extent states can add additional requirements.

North Carolina State Senator Andrew C. Brock has said he will introduce a bill to ease North Carolina ballot access laws for minor parties and independent candidates. He is a Republican representing Rowan and Davie Counties in the central part of the state. He says he will introduce it in 2011, because the 2010 session is too short, and doesn’t begin until May 2010. Thanks to Jordan Greene for this news.

National Review Online has this short account of a conversation with Newt Gingrich, about the November 3, 2009 elections. Gingrich deplores the fact that a strong independent candidate is running for Governor of New Jersey, and he also deplores the fact that the New York Conservative Party has its own candidate in the special election for U.S. House, 23rd district.