On February 13, the California Senate passed SB 113 by 31-5. This bill moves the California presidential primary to February 5. Existing law has the California presidential primary in June. The bill would leave the primary for office other than president in June.
This bill has moved with amazing speed. It was introduced January 22. Normally bills cannot be heard in committee until they have been introduced 30 days, but the rules were waived for this bill.
On February 12, a U.S. District Court in New Mexico struck down an Albuquerque city ordinance, which requires voters at the polls (in city elections) to show photo-ID. ACLU of New Mexico v Santillanes, cv05-1136. The decision is 83 pages long and can be read here.
On February 12, a U.S. District Court in New Mexico struck down an Albuquerque city ordinance, which requires voters at the polls (in city elections) to show photo-ID. ACLU of New Mexico v Santillanes, cv05-1136. The decision is 83 pages long and can be read here.
On February 14, the Hawaii Senate passed SB 1956 by 19-4. This is the National Popular Vote plan for electing the president.
On February 13, Georgia Congressman Charlie Norwood died at the age of 65. He represented northwest Georgia (the 10th district) and had been re-elected in November 2006 with 67.4%.
Georgia law requires a special election to fill the vacancy before March 25. Georgia law for special congressional elections is very different than its law for ordinary congressional elections. In a special election, anyone who pays the filing fee may appear on the ballot. If no one gets 50%, there is a run-off between the top two. This will be Georgia’s first special U.S. House election since February 23, 1999, when House Speaker Newt Gingrich resigned from the House immediately after being re-elected in November 1998.
