Electionline Weekly March 26, 2020

Legislative Updates

Alaska: This week, the Senate Approved a Proposal that would give the Lieutenant Governor the Power to Order Statewide Election by Mail for the August Primaries if the Public Health Emergency continues. If the Legislature were to Extend the Public Health Emergency through November, the Lieutenant Governor would have the Power to Order the November General Election to be conducted by Mail, also.

Kentucky: Senate Bill 2 has Passed both Chambers of the Legislature. The Bill has more than 40 Amendments, but it Essentially Requires Residents to provide a Government-Issued Photo ID in order to Cast a Ballot. If signed into Law, it would be in effect for the November General Election.

The Legislature has Approved a Bill that would Require Counties to Purchase more Secure Voting Machines. Although Election Officials estimate it will Cost about $80 Million Statewide to Replace the Voting Machines, No Funding was Included in the Legislation.

Massachusetts: The General Assembly has Approved a Bill that would Allow Municipalities to Postpone 2020 Local Elections, push back Voter Registration Deadlines, and Increase Voting Options while the Commonwealth is in a State of Emergency.

New York: State Sen. Jen Metzger (D-42nd District, Rosendale) has introduced S8120 that would allow Eligible Voter to Cast their June 2020 State Primary Ballots by Mail. June 23rd is New York State’s Primary Day for All Offices other than President.

Legal Updates

North Carolina: A North Carolina Appeals Court has Rejected a Request by Republican Lawmakers to have all 15 of the Court’s Judges hear a Lawsuit Challenging the State’s Voter ID Law.

Ohio: State Rep. Tom Brinkman (R-27th District, Mt.Lookout) has Sued Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor and Justices Michael Donnelly, Patrick Fischer, and Melody Stewart, saying they Violated the State Constitution when they Issued a Decision Dismissing a Legal Challenge to the Election Delay because they did Not include an Opinion, or Explanation Why. “The Ohio Constitution is quite clear that the Supreme Court must provide reasons for all its decisions in all cases,” Brinkman said. “I am simply asking the court to comply with the constitution. It’s that simple.”

Texas: In a Lawsuit filed in Travis County District Court, the Texas Democrats are asking a Judge to Declare that a Portion of the Texas Election Code allowing Voters to Cast a Mail-In Ballot if they Suffer from a Disability Applies to any Voter in Texas “if they believe they should practice social distancing in order to hinder” the Spread of the New Coronavirus.

Wisconsin: Judge William Conley has Ruled that Wisconsin Residents can Register Online to Vote until March 30th. The Original Deadline was the 18th and the State Democratic Party Sued to Move the Deadline. “It is Apparent that some accommodation is necessary to preserve citizens’ right to Vote amidst this unprecedented public health crisis,” Conley wrote in his Filing. Conley Denied All other Requests from the Plaintiffs in the Lawsuit, which were to Extend the March 18th Deadline for Mail-In Registration, Waive certain Voter ID, and Proof-of-Residency Requirements, and Extend the Absentee Ballot Receipt Deadline.

The City of Green Bay is Suing State Officials to Delay the Spring Election and move it to Mail, arguing an In-Person Election will endanger Poll Workers and Residents amid the growing Coronavirus Crisis. The Lawsuit filed Tuesday in Federal Court asks a Judge to Order the State to Cancel the April 7th Election and Mail Ballots to All Registered Voters, a Decision that would Impact All Wisconsin Communities beyond Green Bay. The City also wants the State to Extend the Deadline for Voter Registration to May 1st and give Municipal Clerks a June 2nd Deadline for Counting Mailed Ballots.

West Virginia: The West Virginia Supreme Court will hear Arguments in the ongoing Battle over whether Four Provisional Ballots Cast during Harpers Ferry June 2019 Municipal Election should be Counted. The Hearing is set for May 19th.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker