1. Letter to The Aspen Times says many Colorado voters are denied their constitutionally-protected rights of non-association and equal access to elections under the state's partisan primary system.
"The U.S. Constitution and the Colorado Constitution both guarantee “freedom of association” — the freedom to associate with whom we please, which necessarily includes the freedom not to associate — to decline to associate with certain people or organizations. The U.S. Constitution and the Colorado Constitution also provide for such rights as “due process” and “equal protection,” which guarantee the right of people to participate equally in the political process."
In March, EndPartisanship.org filed a lawsuit in New Jersey challenging the state primary law that excludes nearly half the electorate from the pivotal primary process, but says they have to help pay for the elections.
2. Jim Jenkins, the independent U.S. Senate candidate in Nebraska, has officially qualified for the general election ballot.
“Nebraskans will now have an additional choice in November. I will focus on bringing people together not partisan bickering and division. I will work to unite Republicans, Democrats, and Independents who are committed to putting the interests of the country ahead of partisan self-interests,” Jenkins said.
On Thursday, Nebraska Secretary of State John Gale certified Jenkins for the ballot. The state required Jenkins to turn in at least 4,000 valid signatures from registered voters in the state with at least 750 signatures from each of Nebraska's 3 congressional districts. Jenkins submitted nearly 6,000 signatures.
3. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus is lobbying to block changes to a 2008 trafficking law.
"Democrats by and large oppose the move, arguing it would strip existing law of crucial protections to shield youth from exploitation, abuse and harm."
Republicans want to revise the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act in exchange for approving the president's request for $3.8 billion in supplemental funds to deal with the humanitarian crisis at the border. Read more about what the law says about unaccompanied minor immigrants here.