On May 20, the Oregon State Senate passed SB161, which makes all elections for state office in that state non-partisan. The bill passed 20-10. 14 Democrats and 6 Republicans voted for it.

On May 19, the Republican Party of Washington state filed a lawsuit in federal court against the “top two” primary system passed by the voters in Washington last November. Washington State Republican Party v Logan, 05-927-Z, Seattle. About ten counties in Washington will be holding partisan elections for county office this year, and the lawsuit will thus be processed fairly quickly. The Democratic and Libertarian Parties also filed papers asking to intervene on the side of the Republican Party.

On May 17, the Ohio House of Representatives passed HB3, which, among other things, provides that voter registration forms should let voters register into particular parties. However, the bill provides that if the voter affiliates with a party that is not ballot-qualified, the voter should be deemed to be an independent. Similar practices have been held unconstitutional in New York, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Colorado. Since the list of members is useful to all political parties, not just qualified political parties, if HB 3 passes, will be subject to a legal attack by any unqualified party in Ohio that does run nominees (in 2004, such groups included the Libertarian and Constitution Parties). HB 3 also raises the fee for requesting a recount from $10 per precinct to $50 per precinct, a reaction to last year’s presidential recount.