| Page 5693

Arizona Election Law Hearing Set for June 15

Posted on June 11, 2009 by adminJune 11, 2009

The Arizona Senate Judiciary Committee will hear SB 1091 on June 15, Monday, at 1:30 pm, in Senate Hearing Room One. SB 1091 is the Secretary of State’s omnibus election law bill. The Secretary of State will suggest an amendment to the bill at that hearing that would make it legal for out-of-state circulators to circulate an independent presidential candidate’s petition. But, the state would continue to bar out-of-state circulators for all other types of petition, such as petitions to qualify a previously unqualified party.

Minnesota Supreme Court Upholds Instant Runoff Voting

Posted on June 11, 2009 by adminJune 11, 2009

On June 11, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled unanimously that nothing in the Minnesota Constitution is inconsistent with a city’s choice to use Instant Runoff Voting for its own elections. The 30-page decision is here. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link. The case is Minnesota Voters Alliance v City of Minneapolis. The Minnesota Voters Alliance is the group that opposed IRV.

Maine Senate Kills Bill that Would Have Established Unicameral Legislature

Posted on June 10, 2009 by adminJune 10, 2009

On June 10, the Maine House passed LD1424 on second reading, but the Maine Senate later that day killed the bill. It would have created a unicameral (one-house only) state legislature, of 151 members. Currently the Senate has 36 members and the House has 151 members.

Maine Legislature Passes Bill Revising How a Party Remains on the Ballot

Posted on June 10, 2009 by adminJune 10, 2009

On June 10, the Maine legislature gave final approval to LD 1041, which revises how a qualified party remains on the ballot. The bill will soon be forwarded to the Governor, who has 10 days to sign or veto it, not counting Sundays.

Existing law requires a party to poll 5% at either of the last two elections, for the office at the top of the ticket (Governor or President). The bill replaces that with the requirement that a party have 10,000 registered members who voted at the last election. Currently, 10,000 is 1.06% of the number of registered voters in Maine.

New Utah Registration Data

Posted on June 10, 2009 by adminJune 10, 2009

The Utah state elections office has released a registration tally. The results: Republican 589,326; Democratic 132,011; Libertarian 3,181; Constitution 2,203; independent and other, 772,997.

The percentages are: Republican 39.30%; Democratic 8.80%; Libertarian .21%; Constitution .15%; independent and other 51.54%.

By contrast, in October 2008, the percentages were: Republican 41.60%; Democratic 8.93%; Libertarian .20%; Constitution .14%; independent and other 49.13%.

If Utah had Pennsylvania’s election law, the Democratic Party would not be on the ballot, and all of its nominees for public office would need a petition to appear on the general election ballot. Pennsylvania treats all parties that have less than 15% of the registration as though they were not qualified, for purposes of appearing on the ballot. Thanks to Frank Fluckinger for the new Utah data.