Author: Jerrick Adams

  • Tracking the 90+ lawsuits related to COVID-19 election changes

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    Lawsuits involving election policy proliferate in response to COVID-19 outbreak  The COVID-19 outbreak in the United States has prompted election postponements, alterations to absentee/mail-in voting procedures, and modifications to candidate filing protocols. It has also resulted in at least 90 lawsuits filed in state and federal courts touching on various aspects of election administration. These…

  • Pennsylvania extends absentee ballot receipt deadline to June 9 in six counties; postmark deadline remains June 2

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    On June 1, Gov. Tom Wolf (D) issued an executive order extending the absentee ballot receipt deadline for the June 2 primary to 5:00 p.m. on June 9 (with a postmark deadline of June 2, 2020) in Allegheny, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. In all other counties, a return deadline of June 2 remains in…

  • Texas Supreme Court rules that a voter’s lack of immunity does not qualify as a disability for absentee voting purposes

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    On May 27, 2020, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that a voter’s lack of immunity to COVID-19 does not qualify as a disability under the state’s election laws and, therefore, cannot be cited as an excuse for voting absentee. The court ruled unanimously on the matter. Chief Justice Nathan Hecht wrote the following in the…

  • California governor’s revised budget proposes cuts to public-sector worker pay, education spending

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    On May 14, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) submitted his proposed budget revision to the state Legislature. He has proposed several spending reductions, including cuts to public-sector salaries and education spending, in an effort to close an estimated $54 billion budget deficit. That deficit has resulted, in large part, from the effects of the COVID-19…

  • Indiana advances start date for third phase of reopening to May 22

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    On May 21, Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) announced that 89 of Indiana’s 92 counties would advance to the third phase of reopening effective May 22, two days earlier than the original target date of May 24. The following businesses will be allowed to reopen or expand their operations: retail stores (at 75 percent capacity); mall…

  • Redistricting and COVID-19

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    Redistricting and the COVID-19 outbreak  The COVID-19 outbreak in the United States has prompted election postponements, alterations to absentee/mail-in voting policies, and adjustments to candidate filing protocols. The outbreak also stands to affect the redistricting cycle set to begin next year. This week, we turn our attention to this topic. The 2020 census: why it…

  • All registered Michigan voters in August 4, 2020, and November 3, 2020, elections to receive mail-in ballot applications automatically

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    On May 19, 2020, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) announced that all registered voters in the August 2, 2020, primary and November 3, 2020, general election would receive mail-in ballot applications automatically. Michigan one of 12 states that have opted to deliver absentee/mail-in ballot applications automatically to all voters in advance of certain…

  • Whitmer signs executive order allowing retail businesses, restaurants to reopen in 32 Michigan counties

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    On May 18, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed an executive order allowing retail businesses, offices, restaurants, and bars to reopen effective May 22 in the following 32 counties: Alger, Alpena, Antrim, Baraga, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Crawford, Delta, Dickinson, Emmet, Gogebic, Grand Traverse, Houghton, Iron, Kalkaska, Keweenaw, Leelanau, Luce, Mackinac, Manistee, Marquette, Menominee, Missaukee, Montmorency,…

  • Massachusetts governor to detail reopening plan

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    At a press conference scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Eastern, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) is expected to provide further information about the state’s reopening plan. The state’s stay-at-home order is set to expire today. Last Monday, Baker unveiled a four-phase plan for reopening Massachusetts. Under Phase 1 (“Start”), limited industries will be permitted to reopen,…

  • Massachusetts state legislator proposes bill giving liability protections to unions during COVID-19 outbreak

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    On April 23, Sen. Paul Feeney (D) introduced S2700, which would grant liability protections to unions that advise their members of their right to refuse to work due to abnormally dangerous conditions. What does the bill propose? Section 2 of the bill proposes that “it shall be unlawful to file a civil action for damages…