On January 17, a U.S. District Court in Nevada ruled in favor of the Nevada Democratic Party, over whether the party is free to run its caucuses according to its own rules, or whether it must follow state election law. The party had set up at-large caucus locations, in business establishments with at least 4,000 employees. State law regulates caucuses to some extent, and doesn’t provide for such extra locations.

The Nevada Democratic Party was assisted with an amicus curiae brief by the national Democratic Party. The case is Chesnut v Democratic Party of Nevada, 2:08-cv-46. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the news. Here is a New York Times story about the decision.

Kansas holds presidential caucuses, instead of primaries. However, presidential candidates who wish to be considered for a Kansas caucus must file with the state party.

The Republican Kansas caucus filing deadline was January 9, and Duncan Hunter did not file. Republicans who did file are Giuliani, Huckabee, Keyes, McCain, Paul, Romney, and Thompson.

Democrats have until January 21 to file for the Kansas Democratic caucus. Those who have done so already are Clinton, Edwards, Obama and Richardson.

On January 4, six Republicans, and six Democrats turned in petitions to be on the Ohio presidential primaries. The Republicans are Giuliani, Huckabee, McCain, Paul, Romney and Thompson. The Democrats are Biden, Clinton, Edwards, Kucinich, Obama, and Richardson. UPDATE: Biden has withdrawn his Ohio petition.

Although Richardson has publicly withdrawn, he has not filed a withdrawal with the Ohio Secretary of State. Candidates needed 1,000 signatures to be listed themselves, and additional petitions of 50 signatures per U.S. House district to have delegates. All these petitions are being checked now.