Tag: State courts
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Wisconsin Supreme Court enjoins governor’s order postponing the election, allowing voting to continue as scheduled April 7
On April 6, 2020, the Wisconsin State Supreme Court voted 4-2 to enjoin an executive order issued earlier in the day by Governor Tony Evers (D) postponing in-person voting in the spring election, scheduled for April 7, 2020, to June 9, 2020. As a result, in-person voting is expected to take place as scheduled on…
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Former State Rep. McCoy appointed as U.S. attorney for South Carolina
U.S. Attorney General William Barr appointed South Carolina Rep. Peter McCoy (R) as the interim United States attorney for the District of South Carolina on March 30. McCoy resigned from the state House of Representatives that day to be sworn in to the position. Pres. Donald Trump (R) nominated McCoy to a permanent U.S. attorney…
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Candidate filing period for state and local races to end in Arizona, North Dakota, and Oklahoma
The major-party filing deadlines to run for state elected office in three states are coming up in the next week. Arizona’s and North Dakota’s filing deadlines are on April 6, and Oklahoma’s filing deadline is on April 10. In Arizona, prospective candidates may file for the following state offices: Corporation Commission (3 seats) State Senate…
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Ten states have ordered the release of some inmates in response to the coronavirus
Ballotpedia is providing comprehensive coverage on how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting America’s political and civic life. Our coverage includes how federal, state, and local governments are responding, and the effects those responses are having on campaigns and elections. As of April 1, 10 states have ordered the release of inmates at the state…
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Georgia governor appoints first supreme court justice
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp (R) appointed Judge Carla McMillian to the Georgia Supreme Court on March 27, 2020. McMillian succeeded Justice Robert Benham, who retired on March 1. McMillian is Gov. Kemp’s first nominee to the nine-member supreme court. McMillian was a judge on the Georgia Court of Appeals from 2013 to 2020. She was…
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Arizona Supreme Court suspends certain time requirements in response to COVID-19
The Administrative Office of the Arizona Supreme Court issued a directive on Tuesday, March 24th, extending time limits for court-related deadlines. Administrative Director of the Courts David K. Byers issued Administrative Directive No. 2020-03 as a response to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Chief Justice Robert Brutinel gave Byers the authority to suspend or alter time limits…
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Maryland Senate passes Maryland Renaming Court of Appeals Amendment
Maryland and New York are the only states in the nation that do not call its court of last resort the supreme court, but that could change after November 3, 2020. On March 13, 2020, the Maryland Senate passed Senate Bill 0393 by a vote of 45-1. If the bill is passed by the General…
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Majority of states have suspended certain court operations and jury trials
On March 22, the West Virginia Supreme Court declared a judicial emergency and suspended jury trials and all in-person proceedings, with a few exceptions, through April 10, 2020. West Virginia joined the majority of states whose judicial branches have decided to suspend certain court operations and jury trials due to the coronavirus pandemic. Through March…
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Florida governor delays state supreme court selection due to coronavirus
On March 19, 2020, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced he would delay nominating individuals to two Florida Supreme Court vacancies until at least May 1. The governor said he had not had time to review the candidates’ application materials because of the coronavirus pandemic. Normally under state law, DeSantis would have needed to select…
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Rhode Island Supreme Court selection of justices
The Rhode Island Supreme Court is the state’s court of last resort and has five judgeships. The current chief of the court is Paul Suttell. The selection of supreme court justices begins with the Judicial Nominating Commission. The commission is composed of nine members. Five of the members must be attorneys. Various elected officials must…