On May 12, the Maine House tentatively approved LD 144 by a margin of 122-23. LD 144 would ask the voters if they want to shrink the number of state representatives, from 151 to 131. The population of each state house district would grow from about 8,500 residents, to about 10,000 residents, if the idea were to be enacted. The Maine Senate hasn’t voted on the bill yet. Even if passes the legislature, since it amends the state Constitution, it would need a popular vote. The motivation for the change is to save money.

On May 11, the California Assembly unanimously passed AB 1396. It deletes code sections that tell the Democratic Party how to structure itself. Instead the party is obliged to keep an up-to-date copy of its Bylaws on its webpage.

The May 11 issue of the Oregonian, the largest newspaper in Oregon, contains this editorial, asking the legislature to pass SB 326. SB 326 would make it possible for primary voters to sign an independent candidate petition.

The editorial support is welcome. Oregon and Texas are the only states in which primary voters can’t sign an independent candidate petition (also, Nebraska primary voters can’t sign for an independent presidential candidate, but they can sign for independent candidates for other office). If Oregon repeals its restriction, that will not only help independent candidates in Oregon, but may make it easier to bring the issue up in Texas. The Oregonian editorial does have some factual errors, but nevertheless the existence of the editorial is encouraging. Thanks to Dan Meek for the news.