With a Davis resignation not out of the realm of possibility, previously obscure election law questions may become quite important Today comes "Davis Inches Toward Backing Bustamante" on the front page of the Los Angeles Times. I have little doubt that if Davis continues to perform poorly in the polls, pressure (from the Democratic party and from some editorial writers at newspapers) will mount on him to resign. Davis cannot derail the recall election by resigning. But there are two significant open questions:
1. If Davis resigns, will part 1 of the ballot still appear, or will there just be a part 2 election on the successor?
2. If Davis resigns, Bustamante takes over as governor until a successor is chosen, and Bustamante is not the successor, does Bustamante go back to being Lt. governor?
This CNSNews.com report is the most in depth discussion of these issues so far that I have seen. I have previously cited to this material, but readers continue to raise these questions.

"San Francisco Wins Voting-System Suit" The Los Angeles Times offers this report.

Which Ninth Circuit panel will hear the ACLU's appeal in the punch card recall suit? Howard Bashman offers some insight here. (Disclosure: I plan to file an amicus brief supporting the ACLU in this case.)

"Stations weigh what's 'fair'*With 135 gubernatorial candidates, equal-time regulations handcuff many outlets" The Los Angeles Times offers this report.

"Think Florida Was an Electoral Zoo in 2000? Watch California" Newhouse News Service offers this report.

-- 
Rick Hasen
Professor of Law and William M. Rains Fellow
Loyola Law School
919 South Albany Street
Los Angeles, CA  90015-1211
(213)736-1466
(213)380-3769 - fax
rick.hasen@lls.edu
http://www.lls.edu/academics/faculty/hasen.html
http://electionlaw.blogspot.com