“Minnesota Supreme Court vigorously questions Photo ID supporters and opponents — but doesn’t tip hand”
MinnPost reports.
Category Archives: direct democracy
What’s the Point?
Michigan State Supreme Court wants to delve into the meaning of “point” and “typeface” in deciding whether to kick referendum off ballot for using slightly smaller typeface in heading than prescribed 14 point type.
Looks like a good case to… Continue reading
“Judge’s decision points Gov. Brown’s tax initiative toward top spot”
LA Times: “A Sacramento Superior Court judge Monday dismissed a challenge from initiative proponent Molly Munger, who had sought to ensure her tax measure appeared before one backed by Gov. Jerry Brown on the November ballot. Judge Michael Kenny… Continue reading
Political Science Grad Students, Start Your Engines
News of a very intriguing change in California’s election law, “to elevate any initiative with a constitutional impact to a more prominent spot on the ballot, right beneath bond measures.” I smell a call for empirical experimentation…
“Kasich’s signing of election law ‘repeal’ doesn’t end debate”
Cincinnati Enquirer: “The gambit, apparently the first time that Ohio legislators have ever effectively killed a referendum destined for voters, sets up a possible lawsuit over a question that could impact this fall’s election: May state legislators repeal a… Continue reading
“DeWine defends allowing ballot petition on same-sex marriage”
the Columbus Dispatchreports.
Federal District Court Rejects Argument that Corporations Have the First Amendment Right to Be Ballot Measure Proponents and that Proponents Have the Right to Remain Anonymous
The federal district court opinion in Chula Vista Citizens for Jobs and Fair Competition v. Norris begins:
This case presents two questions of first impression. It asks whether the First Amendment grants a corporation or association the right to serve… Continue reading
“Thanks, Kamala! A New Time Standard for Ballot Initiative Review!”
Joe Matthews offers another reason why the CA Attorney General should not play a role in the ballot measure review process.
Ninth Circuit Upholds Nevada Initiative Signature Gathering Rule Requiring Certain Number of Signatures Per Congressional District
Interesting opinion in Angle v. Miller.
“Fate of ballot measures often depends on the wording”
Very important report at Stateline. From my personal experience with this (with Harris’s predecessors), I strongly support taking issue away from the CA attorney general.
“Ohio Senate Republicans take another crack at election reform before the fall presidential election”
Very important article from the Cleveland Plain Dealer. It seems that if the Ohio legislature could repeal this measure and replace it with something similar, it would make an end run around the people’s power of referendum. I wonder if… Continue reading
“Wisconsin recall: Petition names go public despite security fears”
The LA Times reports.I suspect security issues here are greatly exaggerated, just as they proved to be in the Washington state Doe v. Reed case.
“Colorado Lawsuit Challenges Wisdom of Ballot Box”
It is not every day that the Guarantee Clause makes it to the pages of the NY Times.
“Dan Walters: California politicans use power to fix the ballot game”
See this SacBee column.