Category: State
-
TX-28 Democratic primary features a rematch of a 2020 primary
Three candidates are running in the Democratic primary election for Texas’ 28th Congressional District on March 1, 2022. The candidates running in the primary are incumbent Henry Cuellar, Tannya Benavides, and Jessica Cisneros. In the 2020 Democratic primary, Cuellar defeated Cisneros 51.8% to 48.2%. In that primary, Cisneros had endorsements from Justice Democrats, Sen. Bernie…
-
Michigan House of Representatives approves changes to unemployment insurance benefits administration
The Michigan House of Representatives on Jan. 27 approved a package of bills proposing changes to the state’s system of unemployment insurance benefits administration. The legislation comes after an audit discovered the UIA paid at least $8.5 billion in improper benefits between March 2020 and December 2021. The package includes bills prohibiting the Michigan Unemployment…
-
Florida sports betting initiative fails to submit enough signatures to qualify for 2022 ballot; casino expansion initiative campaign sues over petition validation process
Two ballot measures in Florida concerning sports betting (sponsored by Florida Education Champions) and additional casinos (sponsored by Florida Voters in Charge) failed to qualify for the 2022 ballot. Each initiative needed 891,589 signatures to be validated by county elections officials by Feb. 1. Florida also has a signature distribution requirement, which requires that signatures…
-
Maine initiative signature deadline passes with no signatures submitted; campaigns target 2023 ballot
The Maine 2022 signature deadline for citizen-initiated measures was Jan. 30. None of the six active campaigns submitted signatures; however, the campaigns have an 18 month circulation period allowing the campaigns to target ballots in 2023. The six initiatives concern requiring a law to establish a publicly funded health coverage program; creating a consumer-owned electric…
-
Ohio Secretary of State certifies marijuana legalization initiative to the state legislature
The Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) announced on Jan. 28 that an initiative proposing the legalization of marijuana had submitted enough valid signatures to be presented to the state legislature. The initiative would enact a state law to legalize the cultivation, processing, sale, purchase, possession, home growth, and use of recreational marijuana for…
-
Campaigns supporting and opposing Massachusetts additional income tax amendment report $1.6 million in contributions
In November, Massachusetts voters will decide on a constitutional amendment that would create an additional income tax of 4% for income over $1 million, in addition to the existing 5% flat-rate income tax, and dedicate revenue to education and transportation purposes. Raise Up Massachusetts, the campaign registered in support of the amendment reported $1.2 million…
-
Kentucky statewide filing deadline passed on Jan 25
The filing deadline to run for elected office in Kentucky passed on Jan 25. Candidates filed for the following offices: U.S. Senate (one seat) U.S. House (six seats) Incumbent John Yarmuth (D) is not running for re-election in Kentucky’s 3rd Congressional District. Incumbents filed to run in the other five House races. State Senate (19…
-
Michigan Supreme Court overturns distribution and paid circulator registration requirements for initiative petition drives
On Jan. 24, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled provisions of a 2018 law adding restrictions to the state’s initiative process unconstitutional. The decision overturned two provisions of House Bill 6595 (HB6595): a distribution requirement to allow no more than 15 percent of required signatures to come from a given congressional district and a registration requirement…
-
Mike Reichenbach advances from Republican primary to South Carolina Senate general election
A special primary election was held for South Carolina State Senate District 31 on Jan. 25. Mike Reichenbach (R) advanced to the special general election and defeated Jay Jordan (R). The special general election is scheduled for March 29. The filing deadline passed on Dec. 11. The special election was called after the seat became…