Each week, we bring you a collection of the most viewed stories from The Daily Brew, condensed. Here are the top stories from the week of October 30-November 3.
North Carolina lawmakers codify semi-closed primary system
Earlier this month, North Carolina lawmakers changed the state’s election law to give unaffiliated voters the right to participate in partisan primaries – in other words, creating a semi-closed primary system. Previously, state law permitted but did not require parties to allow these voters to participate in their primaries.
North Carolina is one of five states that have opened their primaries to unaffiliated voters or begun allowing parties to do so since 2000. Colorado and Maine passed laws allowing unaffiliated voters to vote in the primary of their choice in 2016 and 2022, respectively. Maryland changed its laws in 2003 to permit parties to allow unaffiliated voters to participate in its primary elections. West Virginia did the same in 2011.
Ohio voters to decide recreational marijuana legalization initiative next week
Ohio could become the 24th state to legalize recreational marijuana if voters approve an initiative on Nov. 7.
Issue 2 would legalize the use, possession, cultivation, and sale of recreational marijuana for adults 21 years or older. It would also establish a 10% tax on marijuana sales, with revenue going to a cannabis social equity and jobs program.
Ohio voters rejected a recreational marijuana legalization initiative in 2015, with 64% voting against it.
Ballotpedia previews November elections in the latest episode of On the Ballot
Ballotpedia staff writers Doug Kronaizl and Joe Greaney, as well Managing Editor Cory Eucalitto, dive into some of the key 15 races we’re watching this month. We selected these races based on past election results, unique election-specific circumstances, and election race ratings.
If you want to read more about these races and the other top elections we’re watching next week, click here.