The Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati released a poll for the Ohio gubernatorial race, on October 17. Unlike other polls for this race, the new poll asked voters about all 4 candidates. The results, as measured between October 9-14, are: Democratic 52%, Republican 38%, Libertarian 3%, Green 1%, undecided 6%.

This is only the 2nd time in history that the Libertarian Party has run a candidate for Governor of Ohio. The first time, in 1982, the Libertarian polled 1.17%. This year’s election is the first time the Green Party has had a candidate for Governor of Ohio.

On October 18, the 7th circuit heard oral arguments in Crawford v Rokita, the case over Indiana’s requirement that voters must produce a government photo-ID in order to vote at the polls. Those who don’t possess such ID may vote provisionally, but must return within 10 days to show such ID. The three judges were Richard Posner, Terence Evans, and Diane Sykes. Judge Posner was bothered by the fact that none of the plaintiffs actually lacks the needed ID. On the other hand, Judge Evans was bothered by the fact that Indiana’s attorney could not name one instance in Indiana at which someone had ever impersonated a voter.

On October 17, the Illinois State Board of Elections asked the 7th circuit to rehear Lee v Keith. This is the case in which the 7th circuit had ruled the Illinois ballot access law for independent candidates for the legislature to be too harsh. The law requires a petition signed by 10% of the last vote cast, due in December of the year before the election. No independent candidate for the legislature has qualified in Illinois since 1980. The 7th circuit original decision was 3-0, so the state’s chances of getting a rehearing are low.