According to this story in the Daily Planet of Berkeley, California, the cities of Berkeley, Oakland, and San Leandro now have a fair chance to use Instant Runoff Voting in their own city elections. The voters of those three cities had long ago voted to use IRV, but IRV has not yet been used in those cities because of limitations on the vote-counting machines. However, those difficulties may be resolved soon.
On June 24, the 9th circuit invalidated Seattle regulations that control First Amendment activity in the Seattle Center (location of the Space Needle). One of the regulations struck down made it illegal for anyone to engage in “speech activities” within 30 feet of a “captive audience.” “Captive audience” is defined in the regulation as “any person or group of persons: (1) waiting in line to obtain tickets or food or other goods or services; (2) attending or being in an audience at any Seattle Center event; (3) seated in any seating location where foods or beverages are consumed.” Here is the opinion. The Seattle Center is an 80-acre government-owned park that attracts over ten million visitors annually.
On June 24, the 9th circuit invalidated Seattle regulations that control First Amendment activity in the Seattle Center (location of the Space Needle). One of the regulations struck down made it illegal for anyone to engage in “speech activities” within 30 feet of a “captive audience.” “Captive audience” is defined in the regulation as “any person or group of persons: (1) waiting in line to obtain tickets or food or other goods or services; (2) attending or being in an audience at any Seattle Center event; (3) seated in any seating location where foods or beverages are consumed.” Here is the opinion. The Seattle Center is an 80-acre government-owned park that attracts over ten million visitors annually.
On June 23, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that the legislature must transmit bills to the Governor immediately after they are passed. However, the Court said that in the particular matter that prompted the Governor to sue the Legislature, the slow delivery of the budget bills, that the Court would not order the Legislature to send the bills, since the Legislature had not had advance notice of the rule announced on June 23, and because the Legislature had promised to send her the bills soon anyway. Brewer v Burns, 09-0168.
On June 24, the Oregon House Rules Committee passed SB 326. This is the bill that repeals the 2005 law that made it illegal for primary voters to sign an independent candidate’s petition. The 2009 repeal had already passed the Senate on May 14.
Also, it appears that the bill to legalize fusion (HB 2414) has had its contents merged into SB 326. So, both provisions are now linked together in SB 326. Thanks to Dan Meek for this news.
