Michigan Court of Claims Expedites Two Trump Ballot Access Cases

Posted on by October 12, 2023
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On October 9, Michigan Court of Claims Judge Robert Redford expedited two similar cases that seek to bar former President Donald Trump from appearing on the February 27, 2024 Republican presidential primary ballot. The cases are Davis v Benson, 23-000128, filed on September 15; and Free Speech for People v Benson, 23-000137, filed October 2. They are being heard together.

Judge Redford is a Michigan State Appeals Court judge, and he also is one of the judges on the Court of Claims, which is a special court that only hears lawsuits against the Michigan state government. Judge Redford ordered the state to file its brief by October 16.

One of the lawsuits, Davis v Benson, also argues that the February 27 date for the Michigan presidential primaries is not legal, because the bill that passed moving the primaries to that date had not taken effect until a date later than February 27. Thanks to Thomas Jones for the case numbers.

Colorado State Court Rules Against Former President Donald Trump on Procedural Issues in Ballot Access Case

Posted on by October 12, 2023
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On October 11, Colorado state district court Judge Sarah B. Wallace issued an opinion in Anderson v Griswold, 2023cv-32577. This is the case that seeks to prevent former President Donald Trump from being on the Colorado Republican presidential primary ballot in March 2024.

The opinion clears away procedural objections to the lawsuit, and confirms that the trial will begin on October 30, 2023. Here is the decision. It says that there is a benefit to the public in keeping unqualified candidates off ballots, but does not cite any authority, and ignores the fact that in the past, Colorado has printed the names of presidential or vice-presidential candidates on its ballots who did not meet the age-35 requirement. See pages 15-16.

Forward Party Submits Petition for Recognition in Utah

Posted on by October 11, 2023
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On October 11, the Forward Party submitted its petition for party status in Utah. It requires 2,000 signatures. This is the first time the Forward Party has completed a petition for qualified status in any state. Although Forward is also recognized in Florida, Florida does not require a petition for party recognition.

Utah already has an older qualified party that seems to have the same political views as the Forward Party. The United Utah Party appears to have the same values and stances as the Forward Party.

Michigan Libertarian Party Faction that is Not Recognized by the Libertarian National Committee Files Brief in Trademark Case

Posted on by October 10, 2023
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On October 10, the faction of the Michigan Libertarian Party that is not recognized by the Libertarian National Committee filed this brief in Libertarian National Committee v Saliba, e.d., 5:23cv-11074. The brief asks the U.S. District Court to stay the injunction that does not let them refer to themselves as Libertarians.