On April 29, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in NAMUDNO v Holder, 08-322. The issue is the constitutionality of section 5 of the federal Voting Rights Act, which requires local and state governments in part of the nation to submit election law changes to the U.S. Justice Department, before those changes can go into effect. Here is the AP story about the oral argument. UPDATE: here is the transcript, on the U.S. Supreme Court’s webpage. Thanks to Rick Hasen for that.

The New Jersey Star-Ledger’s Guest Blog (April 27) features a brief discussion of independent gubernatorial candidate Christopher Daggett. The two guest bloggers are two former New Jersey Governors, Republican Tom Kean and Democrat Brendan Byrne. Byrne says, “Chris Daggett is an exceptionally well-qualified candidate” and “If he were Governor of New Jersey, we would be well off.” Kean says, “He did well when he served in government, and would do well if he served again.”

On April 28, the 2nd circuit released this 53-page decision, agreeing with the U.S. District Court that nothing in the U.S. Constitution prevented the New York city council from repealing the city term limits law. Here is the AP story about the decision. Thanks to Eric Garris for this link. The case is Molinari v Bloomberg, 09-331.