On May 2, the New Jersey Superior Court, Mercer County, Appellate Division, issued an order in In re Tom Malinowski, A-003542-21T2. The order denies the state’s request to dismiss the lawsuit on procedural grounds. The lawsuit challenges the New Jersey ban on fusion.
UPDATE: see this story.
On May 1, the Iowa House passed HF 716, which regulates presidential caucuses. It says only attendees can vote. This bill is intended to stop the Democratic Party’s plans for its 2024 caucuses, which would allow postal ballots. The bill is very likely unconstitutional under the U.S. Supreme Court decisions of the 1970’s and 1980’s that recognize political party autonomy. Thanks to Political Wire for the news about the bill’s progress.
Last month, the Arkansas Libertarian Party began circulating the petition for qualified party status. One dedicated individual, Bill Redpath, has himself already collected 646 signatures. The petition needs 10,000 signtures by February 2024.
On May 1, the California Assembly passed AB 1227 unanimously. It lets Santa Clara County, the most populous county in northern California, use ranked choice voting for elections for its own officers.
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.
