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Registration for Free CATO Event on Ballot Access Closes at Noon, October 12

Posted on October 9, 2009 by Richard WingerOctober 9, 2009

CATO is holding its first-ever event on ballot access, at noon, Tuesday, October 13. Although the event is free, reservations are required. See here for instructions on how to reserve, either by phone or by e-mail. The event is centered around Professor James Bennett’s book (being released on October 13) “Not Invited to the Party.” Also, Theresa Amato, author of “The Myth of Vote Choice in a 2-Party Tyranny” will speak; and Hans A. von Spakovsky, a former Federal Election Commissioner, will speak. Reservations must be made no later than Monday, October 12, at noon. Although October 12 is Columbus Day, a federal holiday, CATO is open that day.

The event is at CATO headquarters, 1000 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC 20001. The link above can also be used on October 13 to watch the event live.

Hearing October 9 on Whether Democratic Party Nominees for New York Supreme Court Should Remain on Ballot

Posted on October 9, 2009 by Richard WingerOctober 9, 2009

A New York state court will hear arguments on October 9, in a case to determine whether the New York Democratic Party’s nominees for Justice of the Supreme Court, 5th district, should remain on the November 3, 2009 ballot. See this story. In New York, Justices of the Supreme Court are elected on a partisan basis, from judicial districts. Nominees are chosen by convention. The 5th district is the area in and around Syracuse. The objector who filed the lawsuit to remove the nominees says the convention procedures did not follow state election laws.

Poll Shows Chris Daggett at 14% in New Jersey Gubernatorial Race

Posted on October 8, 2009 by Richard WingerOctober 8, 2009

On October 8, a poll taken by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research was released for the New Jersey gubernatorial race. It shows independent candidate Chris Daggett at his highest poll result so far, 14%. Jon Corzine, Democrat, leads with 41%; Chris Christie, Republican, has 38%; other or undecided 7%.

U.S. House Passes Military and Overseas Voter Act

Posted on October 8, 2009 by Richard WingerOctober 8, 2009

On October 8, the U.S. House passed S.1390, the Defense Authorization bill. It includes the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act, which requires states in federal elections to mail absentee ballots to overseas voters by 45 days before the election. The bill now goes back to the Senate.

U.S. District Court Issues Injunction Against Law that Says Voters May Only Sign One Nominationg Petition per Office

Posted on October 8, 2009 by Richard WingerOctober 8, 2009

On October 8, U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith, a Bush, Jr. appointee, issued an injunction against a law that says voters may only sign one nominating petition for each office. The effect of the ruling is to place Hipolito Fontes on the non-partisan ballot for Mayor of Central Falls, Rhode Island. The election is November 3, 2009.

Central Falls says candidates for Mayor need 200 signatures, and voters may only sign for one candidate. When a voter signs two petitions for the same office, that signature counts for the candidate who submitted the petition first. The case is Fontes v City of Central Falls, 09-437. Here is the order.

The opinion says the law “is not necessary to further the government’s state interests in reducing ballot clutter or in demonstrating a candidate’s support in the community…Defendants have failed to offer any evidence demonstrating how the first to file rule eliminates chaos and clutter in elections.”