On August 24, Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap proposed that the state legislature abolish primary elections. He says the state can’t afford the $300,000 every other year for primaries, and says that the parties are capable of nominating by caucuses, at their own expense. Dunlap was co-hosting the radio show “Maine in the Morning” when he made this suggestion. In Maine, the Secretary of State is appointed by the legislature rather than being elected by the voters. Dunlap is a Democrat. The legislature won’t be in session until 2008.

On August 27, the California Assembly passed SB 924. It directs the Secretary of State to place a referendum on the February 5, 2007 ballot, asking the voters if the United States should “achieve the immediate, complete, safe and orderly withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq.” Because the Assembly version differs slightly from the version passed by the State Senate, the bill now returns to the State Senate. Then it goes to the Governor’s desk. The vote in the Assembly was 43-32.

On August 27, California AB 1294 passed the Senate Appropriations Committee. It makes it possible for any city or county to use Ranked-Choice Voting for electing its own officers. Now the bill goes to the full Senate. The legislature adjourns for the year on September 11. Currently, only charter cities and charter counties may use ranked-choice systems.