Author: Jerrick Adams

  • In Michigan, federal appeals court partially overturns lower court order modifying candidate filing procedures

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    On May 5, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled that a district court judge who ordered modifications to Michigan’s candidate filing procedures had erred in doing so. Although the appeals court agreed that the original requirements were unconstitutional, it found that the lower court had exceeded its authority in mandating…

  • Federal judge orders New York State Board of Elections to reinstate Democratic presidential preference primary on June 23

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    On May 5, Judge Analisa Torres of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York ordered the New York State Board of Elections to reinstate the Democratic presidential preference primary on June 23, 2020, which the board had previously canceled. The order was the result of a lawsuit filed on April 28 by Andrew Yang,…

  • Mississippi to allow restaurants, bars, and outdoor recreational facilities to reopen May 7

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    On May 4, 2020, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) announced that restaurants, bars, and outdoor recreational facilities in the state would be permitted to reopen effective May 7. Restaurants and bars must close no later than 10:00 p.m. and must adhere to social distancing and other guidelines. Outdoor recreational facilities can operate from 9:00 a.m.…

  • COVID-19 and public-sector labor policy

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    The COVID-19 outbreak, and the debate surrounding governmental responses to it, has understandably dominated the news cycle in recent weeks. The outbreak has touched every aspect of American life, and public-sector labor policy is no exception. This week, we take a look at some noteworthy recent events in which COVID-19 and public-sector labor policy have…

  • Andrew Yang sues New York State Board of Elections over cancelation of Democratic presidential preference primary

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    On April 28, 2020, Andrew Yang, a former candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, and several candidates for New York’s delegation to the Democratic National Convention filed suit against the New York State Board of Elections over its decision to cancel the state’s Democratic presidential preference primary. The suit was filed in the United States…

  • In Maryland’s special 7th Congressional District election, ballots cast in person to be quarantined for 24 hours

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    On April 28, 2020, Maryland is conducting a special election for its 7th Congressional District. At the order of Governor Larry Hogan (R), the election is proceeding largely by mail. Three in-person voting sites are open. According to a report by NBC Washington, ballots cast in person will be quarantined for a period of about…

  • New York cancels Democratic presidential preference primary

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    On April 27, 2020, the New York State Board of Elections canceled the Democratic presidential preference primary, which had been scheduled to take place on June 23, 2020. The Republican presidential preference primary had already been canceled. The statewide primary election is scheduled to proceed as planned on June 23, 2020. Earlier in April, the…

  • Federal appellate court rejects attempt to obtain refund of union fees paid prior to Janus v. AFSCME

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    On April 15, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit rejected an attempt by two Connecticut state employees to obtain refunds of fees they were required to pay to their union prior to Janus v. AFSCME. In Janus, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that compelling…

  • The Ballot Bulletin April 22, 2020

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    States modify absentee/mail-in voting procedures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic  In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, at least 22 states have modified their absentee/mail-in voting procedures for select upcoming elections. Today, we examine this topic in depth, reviewing both the permanent statutory framework for absentee/mail-in voting and the temporary modifications made in response to…

  • Local governments in Nevada suspend public-sector union contracts in response to COVID-19

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    Local governments in Nevada have suspended more than 25 public-sector collective bargaining agreements in the past month in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The suspensions have affected at least 18,000 public-sector workers, including all unionized employees of Clark County and the city of Las Vegas. A collective bargaining agreement, or union contract, is a…