On September 6, the Democratic nominee for Mississippi Secretary of State, Shuwaski Young, withdrew from the race, citing health problems. Also on September 6, state election officials said the party is free to substitute a new nominee, even though the election is only two months away. On September 7 the Democratic Party chose a replacement, Ty Pinkins.

Mississippi election law doesn’t have a deadline for a party to replace a nominee. The election is November 7, 2023. Mississippi, Kentucky, and Louisiana are the three states electing governors this year.

On Wednesday, September 6, 2023, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro endorsed Kendra Brooks of the Working Families Party for a second term on the Philadelphia City Council. Gov. Shapiro did this even though the Chair of the Democratic Party of Philadelphia threatened party members with expulsion if they endorse candidates who are not Democrats.

Here is a story on this matter.

On September 5, Ohio State Senator Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester) introduced SB 147, which would provide that voter registration forms should ask applicants for a choice of party or independent status, and which would set up closed primaries in Ohio. Many similar bills have been introduced in Ohio over the last decade, and they never pass.

The bill does permit a blank line, so that it would be possible for voters to register into an unqualified party.