A lower state court in Mississippi will hear State ex rel Hood v Barbour on January 14. This is the case over whether state law requires a special election for U.S. Senate in the spring of 2008, or November 2008. The vacancy was caused when Trent Lott resigned last month. Thanks to Steve Rankin for this news.

Also, the 5th circuit will hear Mississippi Democratic Party v Barbour in the first week in March. This is the case over whether the U.S. Constitution protects the Democratic Party’s ability to keep non-members from voting in its primaries.