On October 13, the Virginia Republican Party decided to authorize a presidential primary next year, on February 12. Last time there was a Virginia Republican presidential primary was in 2000, when it was held on February 29. The Republican 2008 primary will be winner-take-all. Whoever comes in first will get all the state’s delegates.
As noted earlier, there are two federal cases filed by Florida voters or elected office-holders, against the Democratic National Committee, on the Committee’s decision to deprive Florida of any delegates to the national convention. The first one, which lost on October 5, has been appealed to the 11th circuit. That one is DiMaio v Democratic National Committee, middle district. The second one, filed by U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, still doesn’t have a hearing date in the U.S. District Court, northern district. It is called Nelson v Dean.
On October 15, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear City of Modesto v Sanchez, 07-88. This had been an attempt by the City of Modesto to have the California Voting Rights Act declared to be a violation of the U.S. Constitution. The California Voting Rights Act forces cities to use district elections when the evidence shows that the at-large system makes it almost impossible for substantial racial and ethnic minorities to elect anyone from their own group.
On October 15, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear City of Modesto v Sanchez, 07-88. This had been an attempt by the City of Modesto to have the California Voting Rights Act declared to be a violation of the U.S. Constitution. The California Voting Rights Act forces cities to use district elections when the evidence shows that the at-large system makes it almost impossible for substantial racial and ethnic minorities to elect anyone from their own group.
On October 9, the voters of Cary, North Carolina used Instant-Runoff Voting for the first time, to elect city officers. This article indicates that it was considered a success. Thanks to Ed Still for this news.
