On Wednesday, June 29, a Florida state trial court restored James Judge to the Republican primary ballot. He is running for U.S. House. He had been removed from the ballot by the Secretary of State because he filed the wrong form, relating to his oath to defend the constitution. The federal form and the state form were very similar. See this story.
On June 27, Nebraska state officials filed this reply brief in Eggers v Evnen, 22-2268. This is the case over the county distribution requirement for Nebraska initiatives. The state argues that county distribution requirements are only unconstitutional for candidate petitions and petitions to create a new party, but they are not unconstitutional for initiatives.
On June 28, the Nevada Supreme Court dismissed a challenge to the top-five ballot initiative. Even though the petition had not yet been submitted, opponents had charged it does not qualify for the ballot because it violates the single-subject rule. It eliminates party nominees (except for president), and says all candidates run in the primary. Then, the top five candidates run in the general election, using ranked-choice voting.
Here is the opinion in Helton v Nevada Voters First PAC, 84110. The vote was 4-3.
The initiative proponents have just recently finished the drive. Assuming it has enough valid signatures, it will appear on the November 2022 ballot. If it passes, under a unique Nevada constitutional provision, it can’t take effect unless it passes a second time in 2024.
Unfortunately, the measure makes it more difficult for a party to remain ballot-qualified. Currently parties remain on the ballot either if they poll 1% of the statewide vote for any race (statewide or not), or if they have registration equal to 1%. Of the two vote tests, the first one is far easier. But the initiative eliminates the vote test, except for President. Thanks to Fairvote for this news.
On June 29, John F. Wood, a centrist independent who is assured of substantial financial backing, announced for the Missouri U.S. Senate seat as an independent candidate. He needs 10,000 signatures by August 1.
On June 28, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 6-3 to allow Louisiana to keep the U.S. House districts the legislature had drawn earlier this year. Ardoin v Robinson, A21814. The Court also accepted the case for a full review in the next session.
