Category: State
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Wisconsin’s absentee ballot rejection rate averaged 1.14% for spring elections since 2012
Wisconsin voters went to the polls April 7 for the state’s annual spring election. This year, in addition to presidential primaries, a seat on the state Supreme Court and a ballot measure proposing an expansion of rights for victims of crime were on the ballot. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the deadline for voters to…
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Gov. DeSantis signs Florida initiative process restrictions into law
The Florida legislature approved a bill April 9 regarding the state’s ballot initiative process. Senate Bill 1794, which Governor Ron DeSantis (R) signed into law the same day, included the following provisions: increases the signature requirement threshold to trigger a review of the initiative petition by the Florida Supreme Court—changing it from 10% to 25%…
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Maryland, New Hampshire announce modifications to absentee voting procedures in upcoming elections
On April 10, officials in both Maryland and New Hampshire announced modifications to absentee voting procedures in upcoming elections. In Maryland, the June 2 primary election will be conducted predominantly by mail, with all eligible voters being mailed a ballot in advance of the election. There will be at least one in-person voting center per…
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Louisiana State Representative Bagala dies from coronavirus
Louisiana State Rep. Reggie Bagala died on April 9 from coronavirus at the age of 54, according to a social media post by his son. On April 1, it was announced that Bagala was in the hospital after testing positive for the disease. He was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 2019. Vacancies…
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Prison inmate release responses due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
On April 10, 2020, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) issued executive orders authorizing the temporary release of certain inmate populations due to the coronavirus pandemic. In Pennsylvania, Gov. Wolf announced a program that could temporarily release up to 1,800 qualified inmates, beginning within the next week, including nonviolent…
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Coronavirus daily updates: April 10, 2020
As part of Ballotpedia’s coverage on the coronavirus pandemic, we are compiling a daily summary of major changes in the world of politics, government, and elections happening each day. Here is the summary of changes for April 10, 2020. Debate over government responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic Today, the University of Washington Institute for…
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Vermont Governor Phil Scott issues order extending statewide stay-at-home order through May 15
On April 10, Vermont Governor Phil Scott (R) extended the statewide stay-at-home order he originally passed at the end of March. The order was initially scheduled to expire on April 15, and will now remain in effect until May 15. The new order allows lodging operations to begin accepting reservations occurring on or after June…
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Connecticut governor issues executive order allowing grace period for rent due in April
On April 10, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) issued an executive order that allowed an automatic grace period for rent due in April and a 60 day grace period, upon request, for rent due in May. The order also prohibits landlords from serving “notice to quit” or “service of summary process” before July 1, with…
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Utah Governor Gary Herbert issues executive order requiring out-of-state travelers to complete a travel declaration
On Wednesday, Gov. Gary Herbert (R) issued an executive order requiring all visitors over the age 18 who enter Utah through airports or roadways to complete a travel declaration within three hours of entering the state. The order goes into effect Friday, April 7. According to a press release put out by the Governor’s Office,…
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How have state legislatures responded to the COVID-19 pandemic?
State lawmakers have responded to the coronavirus pandemic in at least two ways: by adjusting legislative session dates and by passing laws intended to deal with the crisis. Twenty-five state legislatures suspended their sessions, and 15 of them have either already resumed their sessions or are scheduled to do so sometime this month. California and…