The Mississippi Supreme Court on May 28 unanimously held in a tax and gambling case that a state tax statute requiring judicial deference to a state agency’s interpretation of an unclear law—a doctrine known as Chevron deference at the federal level—was unconstitutional because it prohibited the court from exercising its constitutional duty to interpret the…
The Georgia State Legislature on Tuesday gave final approval to House Resolution 1023, sending it to the November 2020 ballot. The measure would allow residents to seek declaratory relief from state or local laws that are found to violate the U.S. Constitution, state Constitution, or state law. Under the amendment, a court could not award…
Jon Ossoff won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Georgia outright on June 9, having received more than 50% of the vote. The Associated Press called the race on June 10 as votes continued to be counted. With 95% of precincts reporting, Ossoff received 51.1% of votes. Teresa Tomlinson was second with 15%, and…
State Rep. Matt Gurtler and Andrew Clyde defeated seven other candidates to advance to an August 11 Republican primary runoff in Georgia’s 9th Congressional District. Incumbent Rep. Doug Collins (R) is not seeking re-election, leaving the seat open. As of 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, Gurtler had received 22% of the vote followed by Clyde with…
Voters in Atlanta, Georgia, approved a measure Tuesday reauthorizing the city to levy the 1% Municipal Option Sales Tax (MOST). With 89 precincts reporting, the vote was 71% in favor to 29% against. Going into the election, the city levied a 1% sales tax that was set to expire on September 30, 2020. This measure…
Georgia Supreme Court Justice Keith Blackwell’s seat was expected to be up for nonpartisan election on June 9, 2020. Blackwell announced in February that he is retiring on November 18. At that time, the state supreme court announced that Governor Brian Kemp (R) would appoint Blackwell’s replacement. The appointment was challenged in court, and the state supreme court…
Earlier this week, Ethan Underwood, a candidate running in the Republican primary for Georgia’s 9th Congressional District, completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. He joins Michael Boggus and Maria Strickland, both of whom previously completed surveys. Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey so voters can discover what motivates them on…
On May 4, 2020, Supreme Court of Georgia Chief Justice Harold D. Melton announced that restrictions on in-person proceedings and the suspension of jury trials would be extended through June 12. Under the order, courts will be encouraged to develop plans for resuming nonessential court operations that can be conducted through video or phone conferencing…
Ballotpedia is tracking state legislative races without a known Democratic or Republican candidate in the 2020 elections. As of April 29, 764 state legislative races do not have a Democratic candidate, and 583 do not have a Republican candidate. The most seats without a candidate from one of the major parties are concentrated in three…
On April 27, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) issued rulings in three cases argued during its October Term 2019-2020. The court has issued 29 decisions this term. Maine Community Health Options v. United States concerned the “Risk Corridors” program of Section 1342 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The case originated from…