On April 19, the California Assembly Elections Committee passed AB 421 by 5-2. It makes it more difficult for statewide initiatives and referenda to get on the ballot. The bill has so many provisions, it is difficult to list them all. Read the analysis of the bill here.
On April 28, the Florida House passed SB 7050, so it is now through the legislature. It says that the “resign to run” law does not pertain to presidential and vice-presidential candidates. Therefore, Governor Ron DeSantis will be free to run for president, without having to fear that if he ran and did not get elected, he would be forced to resign as Governor on January 20, 2025.
The Common Sense Party of Michigan was expecting to launch its petition for party status, but on April 28 told the State Board of Canvassers not to approve its petition yet. The Common Sense Party of Michigan is not affiliated with any party outside Michigan. Thanks to Thomas Jones for the initial news, and to commenters for the update.
On April 28, the Alaska Supreme Court issued an opinion in Guerin v State Division of Elections, S18457. That case concerned the special election for U.S. House that was held on August 16, 2022. The special election was needed because the incumbent U.S. House member for Alaska had died in early 2022.
After the special primary in June 2022, the candidate who had placed third, Al Gross, an independent, withdrew from the special general election. The Division of Elections let him withdraw (even though he arguably withdrew too late) but didn’t let the fifth-place finisher replace him. So the special general election only had three candidates, not four as would normally be the case in Alaska’s top-four system.
The lawsuit had been filed before the special general election by supporters of the candidate who had placed fifth in the special primary. They argued that he should have been included in the special general election. The decision surprised everyone, because it takes a position that had not been argued by either side. The Court said the state should not have let Al Gross withdraw, and that has name should have remained on the special general election. So the fifth place finisher did not deserve to be on the special general election ballot. Thanks to Ken Jacobus for this news.
On April 28, the Florida House passed HJR 129, which requires statewide initiatives to get 66.67% of the vote in order to pass. If the Senate also passes it, the voters would vote on the idea in November 2024. All Republicans voted “yes” and all Democrats voted “no.”
All statewide initiatives in Florida are constitutional amendments. There is no Florida procedure for an initiative to merely amend or create a statute. Current law requires them to get 60% in order to pass.
