Category Archives: ballot access

“California’s Trump tax return law raises fears of Republican lockout”

August 14, 2019, 7:26 amballot access, political parties, primariesRick Hasen

Politico: California’s new law requiring candidates’ tax returns may be aimed at Donald Trump, but its most consequential effects would likely be felt downballot if it survives a legal challenge.For Republicans who already face a steep climb to blunt… Continue reading

“Why Challenges to California’s Tax-Return-Disclosure Law Should Fail (Putting Aside Whether They Will)”

August 12, 2019, 7:10 amballot accessRick Hasen

New Vik Amar column.

“[California] Supreme Court fast tracks petition challenging, on state constitutional grounds, new tax return disclosure law”

August 8, 2019, 7:16 amballot accessRick Hasen

At the Lectern reports.

“Trump sues over California law forcing candidates to turn over tax returns”

August 6, 2019, 10:58 amballot accessRick Hasen

CNN reports.

The Coming Constitutional Challenge to CA Requirement that Presidential (and Gubernatorial) Candidates Provide Tax Returns to Appear on the Primary Ballot: What’s Likely to Happen and When?

July 30, 2019, 1:37 pmballot access, political parties, primariesRick Hasen

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill requiring Presidential candidates (as well as gubernatorial candidates) to supply their tax returns if they want appear on the primary ballot. There is no question the Trump campaign or their allies, and… Continue reading

Ninth Circuit upholds California’s 1% signature requirement for independent candidates

July 19, 2019, 3:43 pmballot access, third partiesJustin Levitt

The decision is here. (h/t, as in everything ballot access, to Richard Winger.)

“Would ending fusion voting hurt GOP and help suburban Dems?”

July 19, 2019, 10:37 amballot access, political parties, third partiesJustin Levitt

An interesting commentary on the debate over fusion voting in New York.

Trial begins in party ballot position case

July 16, 2019, 10:49 amballot access, election administration, election law and constitutional law, The Voting WarsJustin Levitt

Trial has started up in Florida over the law automatically placing candidates of the governor’s party in the first position of the ballot. I’ve been watching this case pretty closely; it’s a really interesting test of the prevailing constitutional doctrine… Continue reading

Interesting suit against AZ initiative signature law

July 14, 2019, 12:52 pmballot access, direct democracy, recall elections, referendumJustin Levitt

Arizona law invalidates any signatures collected for a citizens’ initiative, referedum, or recall by a particular circulator, if the circulator is paid or from out of state, and if that circulator is subpoenaed in a challenge and can’t appear in… Continue reading

A fight over certifying referenda for signature-gathering

July 13, 2019, 12:03 pmballot access, petition signature gathering, referendumJustin Levitt

When partisan officials control the process for certifying summaries and titles for initiatives and referenda heading onto the ballot, there will be controversy along the way. This story is about alleged foot-dragging on beginning the petitioning process to validate a… Continue reading

“Libertarian, Green parties sue Texas over ballot requirements”

July 13, 2019, 12:02 pmballot access, political partiesJustin Levitt

From the Houston Chronicle.

“U.S. District Court Enjoins New Arkansas Petition 3% Requirement for New Parties”

July 4, 2019, 11:14 amballot accessRick Hasen

BAN: On July 3, U.S. District Court Judge Kristin G. Baker enjoined the new Arkansas petition requirement for newly-qualifying parties. Libertarian Party of Arkansas v Thurston, e.d., 4:19cv-214. Here is the 63-page order.Earlier this year, the Arkansas legislature… Continue reading