U.S. Supreme Court Might Decide on February 27 Whether to Hear Arizona Nader Case

It is somewhat plausible that the U.S. Supreme Court will put the Arizona ballot access case on its conference of February 27. The case is Brewer v Nader, 08-648. The issues are the early June petition deadline for independent candidates, and the state’s ban on out-of-state circulators. The Court has heard from both sides on whether it should take the case. The next conference for the Court is February 20, but Brewer v Nader is not on that conference. After that, the next conference is February 27.

Bill to Establish Initiative in North Carolina

Five members of the North Carolina House have introduced H47, to establish the initiative for proposed changes to the state Constitution. The sponsors, all Republicans, are John Blust, Curtis Blackwood, William Current, Tim Moore, and Edgar Starnes. Such initiatives would need the signatures of 20% of the last gubernatorial vote, which (if enacted) would be the highest such percentage of any state that has statewide initiatives.

If the bill passes, the voters would vote in November 2010 on whether they want the initiative.

Poll on "Top-Two" in California

On February 5, Capitol Weekly/Probolsky Research Poll released a poll on whether Californians would vote for a “top-two” primary system. The idea received support from 49% of the voters, with 35% opposed and the rest undecided. See here for the details.

The specific “top-two” proposal that may appear on a future California ballot is limited to state office, not Congress. The idea is pending in the legislature as ACA 6, a proposed state constitutional amendment sponsored by Assemblymember Charles Calderon. Because it changes the California Constitution, even if the legislature passes it, it would then go to a vote of the people. Or, it could be a constitutional initiative.

Poll on “Top-Two” in California

On February 5, Capitol Weekly/Probolsky Research Poll released a poll on whether Californians would vote for a “top-two” primary system. The idea received support from 49% of the voters, with 35% opposed and the rest undecided. See here for the details.

The specific “top-two” proposal that may appear on a future California ballot is limited to state office, not Congress. The idea is pending in the legislature as ACA 6, a proposed state constitutional amendment sponsored by Assemblymember Charles Calderon. Because it changes the California Constitution, even if the legislature passes it, it would then go to a vote of the people. Or, it could be a constitutional initiative.