Weekly Wrap Up

February 5, 2010

Every week, State of Elections brings you the latest news in state election law.

– New Orleans has experienced a record number of early voters for its municipal election.  About 16,600 ballots have been cast already, compared to 12,850 early votes in the 2008 presidential election.  Experts speculate that the rise in early voting is because the election is scheduled for this Saturday, just one day before the Saints play in the Superbowl.

– A measure that would allow overseas voters to send their ballots by email has passed the Washington House, and is headed to that state’s Senate.

– A judge in New Jersey has ordered a panel of experts to evaluate the security of New Jersey’s 11,000 voting machines.  Some have criticized the ruling for not requiring that the machines be retrofitted to produce a paper trail.

– A corporation has announced its candidacy for Congress!  Murray Hill Inc. plans on filing to run in the Republican primary in Maryland’s 8th Congressional District.  Feeling liberated by the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United, the corporation has decided to take the logical next step in their struggle for equal rights.  According to Murray Hill “It’s our democracy.  We bought it, we paid for it, and we’re going to keep it.”

– The California governor’s race has taken a bizarre turn.  Steve Poizner, a Republican candidate, has accused his rival Republican Meg Whitman of trying to bully him out of the race.   Poizner claims that an e-mail sent to him from Whitman’s office violates four federal and state election laws.  A copy of Poizner’s complaint, including a copy of the email, can be found here.