The Ohio petition deadline (for independent candidates other than presidential candidates) has been attacked in a cert petition filed in the US Supreme Court several months ago (Lawrence v Blackwell). Attorneys for the state have now asked for a 2nd extension of time in which to file a response. The Court already granted them 30 days extension. It is somewhat unusual for a state to ask for multiple extensions, and the Court may or may not grant still more time.

Idaho’s largest newspaper, the Idaho Statesman (published in Boise), has a long-standing policy of refusing to mention minor party and independent candidates running for Idaho office during the primary season. Idaho’s primary is May 23 this year.

The United Party has a very active campaign for U.S. House. Its nominee, Andy Hedden-Nicely, a former newspaper publisher himself, has organized a boycott of the Statesman until it revises its policy. The Idaho United Party, a new party, has ballot status in Idaho because it merged with the ballot-qualified but otherwise defunct Natural Law Party of Idaho. The original officers of the Natural Law Party support Hedden-Nicely and have asked the Idaho Secretary of State to let the party change its name to the United Party; that decision is pending.

On April 25, the California Assembly Elections Committee passed AB 2948 (the anti-electoral college bill), and AB 2949 (to hold an all-mail presidential primary on the first Tuesday of January, or whenever the New Hampshire primary is). Democrats have a majority on the committee. Republican members opposed AB 2948, but in part supported AB 2949.