At its October 14 conference, the U.S. Supreme Court considers whether to hear Fitisemanu v U.S., 21-1394. This is the case over whether the language of the Fourteenth Amendment means that persons born in American Samoa are citizens, even if they don’t go through the naturalization process. The case was brought in Utah by a Samoan-born adult who wanted to register to vote in Utah, where he lives. He was denied the ability to register to vote because he was born in American Samoa.

The Fourteenth Amendment says, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.” However, Congress passed a law long ago that says they are not citizens, unless they go through naturalization. They are only U.S. “nationals.” They do have U.S. passports.

No news about the U.S. Supreme Court action will be available until Monday, October 17, at the earliest. The Court might ponder the case but make no decision for a while.

The Seventh Circuit will hear Gill v Scholz on December 5, Monday. This is the case that challenges the 5% petition for independent candidates, and the nominees of unqualified parties, for U.S. House. It is a very old case; it had been filed in 2016.

The state argues that the case is moot because since 2016, the districts have new boundaries.

On October 5, a televised debate was held between the Democratic and Libertarian nominees for Governor of Arkansas. The Republican nominee declined to participate.