Michigan Senate Passes Bill Lowering Number of Signatures for Statewide Independent Candidates from 30,000 to 15,000

Posted on by March 18, 2026
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On March 18, the Michigan Senate passed SB 697, which lowers the number of signatures for statewide independent candidates from 30,000 to 15,000. The old requirement had been declared unconstitutional several years ago, so in the meantime, the court had imposed 12,000 signatures.

Also on March 18, the Senate passed SB 693, which moves the non-presidential primaries from August to May. Fortunately Michigan does not tie the primary date to the deadline for petitions for new parties or independent candidates, so the bill has no impact on those filing deadlines.

Antonio Villaraigosa, Excluded from California Gubernatorial Debate, Threatens a Lawsuit Against Debate Organizers

Posted on by March 18, 2026
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According to this story, Antonio Villaraigosa, who has been excluded from the California gubernatorial debate of March 24, will sue the debate organizers if the organizers don’t expand the list of invited candidates.

Villaraigosa is a former Speaker of the California Assembly and a former two-term Mayor of Los Angeles. His attorney is Eric George of Los Angeles.

UPDATE: here is the letter.

New Jersey Supreme Court Still Hasn’t Denied Reconsideration Request in Fusion Case, After Over Two Months

Posted on by March 18, 2026
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The New Jersey Supreme Court refused to hear the fusion lawsuit, In re Tom Malinowski, on December 9, 2025. The plaintiffs asked for rehearing on January 9, 2026. The State Supreme Court hasn’t yet responded. Usually courts deny requests for rehearing within a few weeks.

Here is the request.