On March 23, the Nebraska Supreme Court unanimously put Cynthia Burbank back on the Democratic primary ballot for U.S. Senate. The Secretary of State had removed her because he felt she was not a “bona fide” candidate, because she had openly said if she wins the Democratic nomination, she will withdraw in favor of a strong independent candidate, Dan Osborne.
Here is the decision in Burbank v Evnen, 321 Neb 55.
On March 23, a Superior Court in Sacramento, California, held a hearing in Gilbert v Weber, 26WM000011. This is the lawsuit over whether Eric Swalwell, a Democrat running for Governor, meets the state Constitutional requirement of residence in California for the last five years. The judge refused to let the plaintiff speak, because he had not filed a form asking for oral argument. He nevertheless asked for ten minutes, but she denied that request, saying it would not be appropriate.
Attorneys for Swalwell were in court, but no attorneys appeared on behalf of the Secretary of State. The hearing only lasted eight minutes. The judge confirmed her tentative ruling so that it is now final. It says that the California Secretary of State has no duty to investigate challenges relating to duration of residency. See this story.
On March 22, the Los Angeles Times published this story about the lawsuit over whether Eric Swalwell meets the California Constitutional qualifications to be Governor.
Minnesota HF 3534 failed to be considered in committee, and it is now too late for it to pass in this session. It would lowered the vote test for a ballot-qualified party from 8% for any statewide office at either of the last two elections, to 1%.
This Los Angeles Times story about the upcoming USC gubernatorial debate makes it clear that the issue remains controversial. Instead of relying strictly on polls, the debate organizers also rewarded candidates on the rate at which they have received donations, rather than the amount of the donations themselves.
