The ballot access appeal from the Libertarian and Green Parties of New York is now docketed in the U.S. Supreme Court. It is case 22-893, and if the state wishes to respond, its response is due April 17. Also if any organization wishes to file an amicus curiae brief in support of the petition, that amicus would be due April 17. If the state does choose to respond that might possibly cause a later deadline for an amicus.
On March 7, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee signed HB 1419, which requires statewide initiatives to include a large number of signatures from each of at least fifty counties. Arkansas has seventy-five counties.
Generally, courts have struck down county distribution requirements for all types of statewide petitions. But on August 31, 2022, the Eighth Circuit upheld Nebraska’s county distribution requirement for statewide initiatives. The vote was 2-1. The losing side did not ask for U.S. Supreme Court review, so now it is too late to overturn the Nebraska decision, Eggers v Evnen. Both Nebraska and Arkansas are in the Eighth Circuit. Thanks to Paul Jacob for the news about HB 1419.
Maine Senator Eric Brakey (R-Auburn) has introduced LD 1071, to allow two parties to jointly nominate the same candidate. The bill has two co-authors, who are also Republicans.
The Hill has this article by Benjamin Chavis, Jr., a leader of No Labels. Chavis defends the idea that No Labels might run a presidential nominee in 2024. Thanks to Eric Wong for the link.
The Prohibition Party will hold its national presidential convention in Buffalo, New York, May 7-9, 2023. The party has been holding its presidential convention in the odd year before presidential election years starting in 1943.
