On Oct. 4, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed AB 2946, which would have made it illegal to pay initiative circulators per signature. He also vetoed SB 1598, which would have required that each initiative petition sheet say whether the circulator is being paid or not.
On October 4, the Federal Election Commission ruled that Unity.08 is not restricted in its fund-raising activities. It is not a “political committee” for federal campaign finance law purposes, concerning raising money. However, it is limited by federal campaign finance law at the point at which it begins spending money.
Unity.08 was formed earlier this year. It’s goal is to hold an on-line presidential nominating process, and then get that presidential candidate on the 2008 ballot as an independent.
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer just posted an op-ed by Richard Anderson-Connolly from tomorrow’s paper: “Instant runoff voting can solve primary problem for counties,” dealing with local IRV proposals and one adopted by Pierce County, WA.
On Sep. 27, the Idaho Supreme Court ruled that elections officials must carry out validation of initiative petitions, whether they think the initiative would be valid law if it passed or not. The case is Liberty Lobby of Idaho v Wright, 31792.
The case arose several years ago when an initiative to regulate marijuana was circulated. County elections officials refused to process the petitions on the grounds that if the initiative got on the ballot and passed, it would contradict federal law. The Idaho Supreme Court said elections officials must process all initiative petitions, regardless of their content. The lower court had not only refused any relief, it had ruled that the lawsuit was frivolous, but that lower court decision has now been overturned.
Ryan Davidson, Chairman of Liberty Lobby of Idaho (no connection with the old right-wing Liberty Lobby) says the decision has breathed new life into the campaign.
From yesterday’s Los Angeles Times:
The Mexican Supreme Court decided Tuesday to allow independent candidates to run for office, overturning a 60-year-old interpretation of the constitution that required candidates to belong to registered political parties.
The 6-5 vote sided with the Yucatan state legislature, which in May voted to allow independents to run for state and local offices. The law was challenged before the high court by the Alliance for Yucatan, a state political party.
