1. Tracking changes to candidate filing procedures in response to coronavirus
2. Tuesday’s congressional election results summary
3. Local roundup

Tracking changes to candidate filing procedures in response to coronavirus

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont (D) issued an executive order Monday reducing petition signature requirements for all 2020 election candidates by 30%. He also extended the filing deadlines for major-party and unaffiliated candidates by two days, to June 11 and August 7, respectively.

We’re tracking changes to candidate filing procedures in response to the coronavirus pandemic. So far, 14 states have changed the rules and procedures regarding candidate filing. This includes authorizing the electronic filing of signatures and campaign qualifying documents, postponing candidate filing deadlines, or reducing the number of signatures needed to qualify for the ballot.

The effect on candidate filing is another way in which the coronavirus outbreak is changing this year’s elections. If you’re interested in learning more about how state and local governments have changed election dates and procedures, you’ll definitely want to attend today’s briefing on this topic. I’ll be joined by Jerrick Adams, one of our election experts here at Ballotpedia. We’ll be discussing the key changes that have occurred so far, changes on the horizon for the general elections, and summarize some of the most important debates around these actions.

The briefing will be held today at 11 am Central. I’m really looking forward to this briefing, so click here to reserve your spot and join us.

Here are some other notable coronavirus-related updates since Wednesday's Brew:

• The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea Palm overstepped her authority when she extended the state’s stay-at-home order through May 26 on behalf of Gov. Tony Evers (D).
• The Republican congressional committee of Virginia's 5th Congressional District has postponed its convention, originally scheduled for April 25, to June 13.
• The Maryland Department of Education released a 54-page guide for the state’s 24 school systems as they look to transition from remote learning to in-person learning. Some of the criteria in the plan include mandatory masks, daily temperature checks, enhanced cleaning procedures, and social distancing protocols.
• U.S. District Court Judge Michael Shea for the District of Connecticut issued an order directing prison officials at the federal prison in Danbury to identify inmates with health conditions that make them vulnerable to the coronavirus. They must provide a list to the court in about 13 days.  
• Georgia House Speaker David Ralston announced that the state legislature will reconvene on June 11.

Learn more

       

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Tuesday’s congressional election results summary

Our elections team covered primary and special congressional elections on Tuesday. Here’s a quick summary of what happened in some of the key races:

California’s 25th Congressional District special election

Mike Garcia (R) won the special general election for California's 25th Congressional District after Christy Smith (D) conceded on May 13. At the time Smith conceded, Garcia had 56% of the vote to Smith's 44%. The special election was called to fill the vacancy left by Katie Hill (D), who resigned on November 1, 2019, amid allegations of extramarital relationships with staffers. The remainder of the term will expire on January 3, 2021. Smith and Garcia will run again in a regular general election on November 3 for a full, two-year term.

Nebraska’s 2nd District, Democratic primary

Kara Eastman defeated Ann Ashford and Gladys Harrison to win the Democratic nomination in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District. Eastman received 61.8% of the vote, followed by Ashford with 31.6% and Harrison with 6.6%. Eastman will face incumbent Rep. Don Bacon (R) in the November 3 general election, in a rematch from 2018. In 2018, Bacon defeated Eastman 51% to 49%.

Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District special election

Tom Tiffany (R) defeated Tricia Zunker (D) in the special election for Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District. With 95% of precincts reporting, Tiffany received 57% of the vote to Zunker's 43%. The special election was called to fill the vacancy left by former Rep. Sean Duffy (R), who left office in September 2019 in anticipation of the birth of a child with health complications. Duffy last won re-election in 2018 against     Margaret Engebretson (D) 60.1% to 38.5%. He was first elected in 2010.

U.S. Senate election in Nebraska, Democratic primary

Chris Janicek defeated six other candidates to win the Democratic primary for Nebraska’s U.S. Senate seat with 30.7% of the vote. Angie Philips was second with 23.8%. Janicek will face Sen. Ben Sasse (R) in the general election November 3. Sasse is running for a second term after defeating Democratic candidate Dave Domina 64.4% to 31.5% in 2014.

Local roundup

In addition to statewide elections on Tuesday, Nebraska voters cast ballots on local ballot measures. Voters in Omaha and Lincoln approved five local ballot measures on May 12. Below are details of these measures and unofficial results.

Omaha

• Bond Issue for Street Repairs (Question 1): Voters approved this with 72.9% of the vote. The question authorizes the city to issue $200 million in bonds to fund street maintenance.

• Property Tax to Repay Bonds for Street Repairs (Question 2): Voters approved this measure  64.7% to 35.3%. It authorizes the city to impose an estimated property tax of $35 per $100,000 of assessed property value to repay the bonds authorized in Question 1.

• Millard Public Schools bond issue: Voters in the Millard Public School district approved $125 million in bonds, 58.6% to 41.4%. This question authorizes the school district to issue $125 million in bonds for capital improvements and impose a 1% property tax to repay the bonds. This measure increases the total estimated property taxes levied by the district to $1,236 per $100,000 of assessed property value.

Lincoln

• Gender Neutral References to Mayoral Office Charter Amendment: Voters approved, 76.5% to 23.5%, a measure that amends the city's charter to fix certain typographical errors and change all references to the mayoral office to gender-neutral terms.
   
• City Contracts Charter Amendment: Voters approved this measure with 70.2% of the vote. It amends the city's charter to require mayoral approval on contracts exceeding $50,000, and increases the threshold for bids for city purchases from $25,000 to $50,000. It also allows the city to obtain fewer than three formal bids on purchases of less than $50,000.

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