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Nebraska Bill for Non-Partisan Congressional Elections

Posted on March 9, 2023 by Richard WingerMarch 9, 2023

Nebraska State Senator Elliot Bostar (D-Lincoln) has introduced HB 776. It would provide that congressional elections in Nebraska be non-partisan. The bill would also convert the elections for state executive posts, and county executive posts, to non-partisan elections. Nebraska already has non-partisan legislative elections, although members of the legislature are almost always registered party members, and the press commonly identifies legislators by their party.

The bill had a hearing on March 2 but there seem to be no newspaper stories about the testimony.

Utah Legislature Adjourns and Does Not Pass Any Bill Affecting Party Nominations

Posted on March 9, 2023 by Richard WingerMarch 9, 2023

The Utah legislature adjourned March 3. The Senate did not pass HB 393, or vote on it, even though the bill had passed the House in February. The bill would have provided that if a candidate for a party nomination gets at least 70% support at a party convention, no primary would be held for that office. The bill’s failure is good news for Senator Mitt Romney, who is up for re-election in 2024 and who is not popular with Republican Party officials in the state.

The Senate also didn’t take up HJR 17, a proposed constitutional amendment that had passed the House, and would have amended the Constitution to say that initiatives that raise taxes must pass by 60%.

Tennessee Bill for Partisan Registration Loses in Committee

Posted on March 9, 2023 by Richard WingerMarch 9, 2023

On March 7, the Tennessee House Local Government Committee defeated HB 1045. It would have provided that voter registration forms ask applicants if they wish to join a party. If the bill had passed, it would have made it easier for the Tennessee legislature to then switch the state’s primaries from open to closed.

New Mexico Senate Passes Bill for Automatic Voter Registration

Posted on March 9, 2023 by Richard WingerMarch 9, 2023

On March 8, the New Mexico Senate passed HB 4. It provides that all adult resident citizens known by the state government to exist will automatically be registered to vote, unless they opt out. It also provides that felons released from prison may register to vote, even if they are still on probation or parole.

Hearing Set for Nebraska Bill to Eliminate Ability of Each U.S. House District to Choose its Own Presidential Elector

Posted on March 9, 2023 by Richard WingerMarch 9, 2023

The Nebraska Senate Government, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee will hear LB 764 on Wednesday, March 15. This is the bill to eliminate the ability of each U.S. House district to elect its own presidential elector. Nebraska and Maine are the only two states that have that.