On June 20, Florida’s Governor signed HB1567, which (among other things) clarifies the definition of “national political party”. A “national political party” can place its presidential nominee on the general election ballot with no petition, but the law in the past did not define “national political party”. The new law says it is a party that is on the ballot in at least one state other than Florida.
Ballot Access News
Edited By Richard Winger
What exactly does it mean to be on the ballot in one other state? Does this mean listed parties such as the Conservative Party in NY or achieving ballot status through petitions or both?
I assume that it means a minor party candidate would now be able to get on the ballot in Colorado or Louisiana first, by paying the $500 filing fee and having a list of seven delegates, and then apply to Florida by showing confirmation from the Secretaries of State in CO and LA. CO had 12 candidates and LA had 9 in 2004 – gee, what a surprise! Other easy states were: NJ-9; WA-9; IA-8; MN-8; WI-7. I think the Conservative Party did not have a candidate in NY, but the Constitution Party did – Michael Peroutka. This will greatly help the serious third parties in 2008, like the Libertartian, Green and Constitution Parties, by saving them money. This would have helped Ralph Nader in 2000. (I think he should have run with the Greens in 2004, but we will save that for another day.) Of course, they would have to be aware of the starting dates which they could file and hurry up and file in the easy states.