April 1, 2008 – Volume 23, Number 12

This issue was originally printed on green paper.

Table of Contents

  1. TWO COURTS SUPPORT EQUALITY FOR MINOR PARTIES
  2. OHIO PETITIONING VICTORY
  3. U.S. SUPREME COURT WASHINGTON "TOP-TWO" DECISION
  4. HOW THE WASHINGTON SYSTEM WILL WORK
  5. MORE LAWSUIT NEWS
  6. ARKANSAS GREENS WILL BE ONLY COMPETITION
  7. LEGISLATIVE NEWS
  8. DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY RESULTS
  9. REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY RESULTS
  10. 2008 PETITIONING FOR PRESIDENT
  11. LIBERTARIAN, CONSTITUTION PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDERS
  12. MINOR PARTY PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES
  13. VERMONT PROGRESSIVES COULD WIN GOVERNORSHIP THIS YEAR
  14. NADER CHOOSES MATT GONZALEZ
  15. INDIANA CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION
  16. PROHIBITION PARTY
  17. ALASKAN INDEPENDENCE PARTY WILL CHOOSE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE
  18. SUBSCRIBING TO BAN WITH PAYPAL


TWO COURTS SUPPORT EQUALITY FOR MINOR PARTIES

During late March, two U.S. District Court Judges issued strong rulings in defense of equality for minor parties. Neither case involved ballot access. Instead, the Michigan ruling concerns which parties can get a list of presidential primary voters, and the Connecticut ruling concerns discriminatory public funding. The American Civil Liberties Union sponsored both lawsuits.

Michigan

On March 26, U.S. District Court Judge Nancy G. Edmunds, a Bush Sr. appointee, struck down a law passed last year, on the subject of which parties can get a list of the voters who vote in presidential primaries. Green Party of Michigan v Land, 08-10149.

Michigan law says only parties that got 20% of the vote in the last election may have a presidential primary. The state has six ballot-qualified parties, but only the Democratic and Republican Parties have a presidential primary. The other ballot-qualified parties are Constitution, Green, Libertarian, and Natural Law (in Michigan, the Constitution Party uses the name "U.S. Taxpayers Party").

The law passed last year says that only parties with their own presidential primary may have the list of voters who vote in presidential primaries. So, the law provided that the Republican Party could get the list of who voted in the Republican presidential primary and the Democratic presidential primary. The Democratic Party could also get the list for both primaries. But, no one else could have the list. It was a crime for anyone else to possess the list.

The list is very valuable, because Michigan does not have registration by party. Furthermore, there is no other record of which voters choose which party’s primary ballot.

The state argued that the U.S. Supreme Court has approved discrimination against minor parties, and cited some bad ballot access precedents, especially Jenness v Fortson. But Judge Edmunds refused to accept the idea that because the U.S. Supreme Court has sometimes injured minor parties, that therefore there is generalized permission for states to discriminate against minor parties in all areas of election law.

She said, "Defendant’s proposed approach to the Equal Protection Clause would strip the clause of all meaning. Any statute could avoid running afoul of the clause simply by creating an arbitrary classification to divide those whom the statute intends to protect from those it does not. This would strike at the very heart of the clause, the basic concern of which is ‘with state legislation whose purpose or effect is to create discrete and objectively identifiable classes’."

Judge Edmunds denigrated the state’s argument that giving the list only to the Democratic and Republican Parties protects "stability." Frequently, when a state government wants to defend a law that discriminates in favor of the two major parties, it claims that such discrimination enhances "stability." Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Byron White, who wrote all the unfavorable ballot access decisions from 1972 through 1992, always mentioned "stability" as justification for restrictive ballot access laws. White even used "stability" to justify banning write-in votes. However, he never defined "stability", nor did he explain the connection between "stability" and restricting voters’ choices. Judge Edmunds simply noted that there is no connection between the issue in this Michigan case, and the cases in which the U.S. Supreme Court had used "stability."

Connecticut

On March 20, U.S. District Court Judge Stefan R. Underhill, a Clinton appointee, issued a 49-page ruling in Green Party of Connecticut v Garfield, 3:06cv-1030. The ruling denies the motion for summary judgment in favor of the law. The law under attack in this lawsuit sets up public financing for candidates for Connecticut state office.

The law discriminates against minor party and independent candidates. Although the only concrete effect of the March 20 ruling is require a trial in this case, the ruling suggests that the Connecticut law is likely to be held unconstitutional.

The state argued that it may discriminate, because the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a discriminatory public funding law for presidential elections in 1976. The case, Buckley v Valeo, ruled 7-2 that Congress could provide for general election public funding only for parties that received 5% of the vote in the previous presidential election. Parties that polled 5% in the current election, but not the past election, could also receive funding, immediately after the current election was over.

Judge Underhill differentiated between the federal presidential scheme, and Connecticut law. He noted that virtually every presidential election is sharply competitive between the Democratic and Republican nominee. By contrast, over half of all Connecticut state legislative races are uncompetitive. Most legislative districts are either so Democratic, or so Republican, that there is no real contest. Yet the Connecticut public funding law funds all Republican nominees and all Democratic nominees fully, without requiring them to collect any signatures.

By contrast, independents, and candidates of new parties, and parties that polled less than 10% of the vote for that office in the last election, must submit very difficult petitions, in order to get public funding. For full public funding they must submit petitions signed by 20% of the vote in the last election; for two-thirds public funding, 15% petitions; for one-third public funding, 10% petitions.

Judge Underhill wrote, "The size of the 10%-15%-20% (petition) thresholds is not as problematic as the fact that thresholds (i.e., petitions) apply only to minor party and independent candidates in the first instance. Plaintiffs argue that it is unfair to impose additional qualifying requirements only on minor party and independent candidates because, in one-party dominant districts, the minor party candidate’s chances to win the general election are as good as, or better than, the token (or nonexistent) major party candidate, yet the token major party candidate is presumptively entitled to the full complement of public funds, whereas the minor party candidate must show additional ‘modicums of support’. That argument is persuasive."


OHIO PETITIONING VICTORY

On March 5, the 6th circuit ruled that Ohio’s law, making it illegal to pay petition circulators on a per-signature basis, is unconstitutional. Citizens for Tax Reform v Deters, 07-3031. The U.S. District Court had reached the same conclusion last year. Plaintiffs presented evidence that the law added $300,000 to the cost of their statewide initiative.

This is the first time any U.S. Court of Appeals has ever struck down a law that makes it illegal to pay circulators by the signature. It will be interesting to see if Ohio appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The decision says, "By making speech more costly, the State is virtually guaranteeing there will be less of it."


U.S. SUPREME COURT WASHINGTON "TOP-TWO" DECISION

On March 18, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Washington State Grange v Washington Republican Party, 06-713. The decision said that the Washington law does not on its face violate the associational rights of political parties. However, footnote eleven says that other arguments against the Washington system were not considered by the Court, and that new lawsuits may be filed without prejudice.

The Washington system was passed by the voters in November 2004, but it has never been used. A U.S. District Court ruled in 2005 that the system violates the Associational rights of political parties, and did not rule on other arguments against the system. The 9th circuit agreed with the U.S. District Court in 2006.

The U.S. Supreme Court decision also says that it is possible the Washington system does violate the Associational rights of political parties, but we can’t know this yet. For example, the state still hasn’t even decided how the wording on the ballot, involving political party names, will be handled. The Court said after Washington elections officials decide how party preference labels will be shown on the ballot, and after the state experiences the system in 2008, the parties are free to file new lawsuits, using the evidence that has yet to be gathered.

The majority opinion was written by Justice Clarence Thomas. The two dissenters are Justices Antonin Scalia and Anthony Kennedy. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito wrote separately to say that, in general, election laws should not be invalidated before they have been tried at least once.

Washington state’s system provides that all candidates run on the same primary ballot in August (the system does not apply to presidential elections). Then, only the two candidates who poll the highest vote totals may appear on the November ballot.

Data from Louisiana (which has used a very similar system since 1975), and blanket primary data from Washington and California, show that no one but Democrats or Republicans ever place first or second in the first round. The Libertarian Party had presented evidence in this case that the 2nd place finisher in past Washington blanket primaries typically polled 30% of the vote.

Thus, for Congressional elections, the system may be unconstitutional on ballot access grounds. Since 1872, Congress has provided that congressional elections are held in November. The November event IS the congressional election. A preliminary screening election may be permitted, but the "screening" cannot be excessive. In 1986, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Washington state law that said independent and minor party candidates must poll 1% in the September blanket primary. The Court said the primary vote test should be thought of as similar to a petition. Since the Court has previously set a ceiling of 5% on ballot access petitions, it follows that a vote test in a preliminary screening election should also be capped at 5%.


HOW THE WASHINGTON SYSTEM WILL WORK

The reason the Supreme Court said the Washington system does not violate the rights of political parties to control their own nominations process, is that there are no partisan elections in the state (except for president, and county office in certain charter counties). The lower courts had struck down the law anyway, since the law does provide for party labels. But the law says that party labels mean only that the candidate "prefers" the party he or she lists. The Secretary of State will probably put next to each candidate’s name the slogan "Prefers the (blank) Party". Washington state has no limits on the names of parties a candidate may "prefer"; a candidate may say he or she prefers the "Libertarian Democratic Party", or the "Pro-Choice Republican Party", or the "Grange Party".


MORE LAWSUIT NEWS

Arizona: on April 15, the 9th circuit will hear Ralph Nader’s lawsuit against the law that makes it illegal for out-of-staters to circulate an independent candidate petition, and against the early June petition deadline for independent candidates.

California: on March 13, the 9th circuit rejected the state’s request for a rehearing in Porter v Bowen. The original decision, which stands, said that the First Amendment protects "vote-swap" web pages. The case originated in 2000, when the Secretary of State threatened a web site with prosecution for offering to match Nader voters in close states with Gore votes in non-close states, so that they could make a deal with each other to "swap" a Nader vote for a Gore vote.

Hawaii: a U.S. District Court held a trial March 10-11 in Nader v Cronin, over whether the state violates due process by disqualifying petition signatures for trivial reasons. The trial went well, but the Judge said he won’t rule until June 1, to see if the State Supreme Court wants to act in a parallel case in that Court.

Maryland: on March 13, Michael Schaefer asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear his case against a law that puts primary candidates on the ballot in alphabetical order. Schaefer v Lamone, 07-1143.

Mississippi: on March 5, the 5th circuit heard arguments in Mississippi Democratic Party v Barbour, the case over whether the Democratic Party may close its primaries to non-members. The panel consisted of Judges Edith Jones, W. Eugene Davis (Reagan appointees), and Emilio Garza (a Bush Sr. appointee).

Montana: Steve Kelly, an independent candidate for U.S. House, is about to file a lawsuit against the March petition deadline. The deadline had been in June, until the 2007 session of the legislature moved it. The lawsuit will also challenge the imposition of filing fees on independent candidates, another change made in 2007.

North Carolina: on March 17, the U.S. Supreme Court said it will hear Bartlett v Strickland, 07-689, a case which may force North Carolina to redistrict some of its legislative and U.S. House districts in 2009, depending on which side wins.

Ohio: on March 7, Socialist Party presidential candidate Brian Moore filed a federal lawsuit against a state law that makes it illegal for anyone to circulate an independent candidate petition, unless the circulator is a registered voter in Ohio. Moore v Brunner, 08-224, s.d.

Oregon: the issue of whether petition signers have a due process right to have their signatures counted has gone to the 9th circuit. Lemons v Bradbury, 08-35209. The U.S. District Court had ruled that there is no such right. The case arose when the state rejected a referendum petition, despite evidence that it had enough valid signatures.

Pennsylvania: the March 1 B.A.N. said that it was likely that the state’s county distribution requirement for statewide primary petitions would soon be in court, since it appeared that two Democratic candidates for State Treasurer had failed to comply with that requirement (which requires 100 signatures from each of 5 counties, as well as 1,000 signatures generally). However, it turned out that both candidates did meet the county distribution requirement, so the issue was put off for another day.


ARKANSAS GREENS WILL BE ONLY COMPETITION

Arkansas has one U.S. Senate race up this year, and four U.S. House races. In all five races, the incumbents are running for re-election. The Green Party is on the ballot and hopes to nominate candidates for all five races. No Democrat or Republican is running against any congressional incumbent in Arkansas. Therefore, unless some independent candidates qualify, the Green Party will offer the only candidates running against any Arkansas members of Congress this year.


LEGISLATIVE NEWS

Alaska: Rep. Max Gruenberg recently introduced HB 402, to ease the definition of "political party". The bill would define a party as a group that has 2,500 registered members. Alaska’s current definition is registration of 3% of the last vote cast, which is now approximately 7,100, but which will probably be 10,500 after November 2008. Unfortunately HB 402 was introduced too late in the session to have a realistic chance of moving ahead, but the sponsor will reintroduce it next year.

Connecticut: on February 29 the Joint Committee on Government Administration & Election heard testimony about the National Popular Vote Plan bill, HB 6018.

Illinois: Governor Rod Blagojevich must either sign or veto the National Popular Vote Plan bill by April 7.

Maine: on March 20, LD 1799 passed the Joint Legal & Veterans Affairs Committee. The bill legalizes fusion.

Missouri: SB 797, which deletes the requirement that petitions for a new party list presidential elector candidates, passed the Senate Financial, Governmental Operations and Elections Committee on March 6.

Utah: SB 126 failed to pass, and the legislature has now adjourned. It would have imposed filing fees on declared write-in candidates.

Vermont: on March 19, the Vermont legislature passed S270, the bill to use Instant-Runoff Voting for congressional general elections. This is the first time any state legislature has ever approved use of IRV in a statewide general election. Unfortunately, Governor Jim Douglas, a Republican, will probably veto it.

Washington: HB 1534, which would have improved ballot access for minor parties and independents, failed to advance in the Senate, and the legislature has now adjourned. Even if it had passed, it would not have conformed to the "top-two" system that will be used in 2008.


DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY RESULTS

~

Clinton

Obama

Edwards

Richrdsn

Kucinich

Biden

Dodd

Gravel

other

Alabama

223,089

300,319

7,841

1,017

- -

1,174

523

- -

2,663

Arizona

229,501

193,126

23,621

2,842

1,973

- -

484

340

3,748

Arkansas

220,136

82,476

5,873

810

393

515

308

325

3,398

California

2,608,184

2,186,662

193,617

19,939

24,126

18,261

8,005

8,184

- -

Conn.

165,426

179,742

3,424

436

846

440

912

275

3,038

Delaware

40,760

51,148

1,241

- -

192

2,863

170

- -

- -

Dt. Col.

29,470

93,386

347

145

193

- -

- -

- -

339

Florida

870,986

576,214

251,562

14,999

9,703

15,704

5,477

5,275

- -

Georgia

330,026

704,247

18,209

1,879

2,096

2,538

904

952

- -

Illinois

667,930

1,318,234

39,719

3,538

4,234

3,788

1,171

- -

- -

Louisiana

136,925

220,632

13,026

4,257

1,404

6,178

1,924

- -

- -

Maryland

314,211

532,665

10,506

2,098

1,909

3,776

788

804

11,417

Mass.

705,185

511,680

20,101

1,846

2,992

3,216

1,120

1,463

8,041

Michigan

328,309

- -

- -

- -

21,715

- -

3,845

2,361

238,168

Miss.

159,273

265,370

3,933

1,396

912

1,815

739

591

42

Missouri

395,185

406,917

16,763

689

820

626

250

438

3,342

N.Hamp.

112,404

104,815

48,699

13,269

3,891

638

205

404

715

N. Jersey

597,329

487,046

14,025

3,057

2,795

3,792

- -

- -

- -

N. York

1,068,496

751,019

21,924

8,227

8,458

4,321

- -

- -

- -

Ohio

1,212,362

982,489

38,305

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

Okla.

228,480

130,130

42,725

7,078

2,378

- -

2,511

- -

3,905

Rhode Is.

108,949

75,316

1,133

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

1,041

So. Car.

140,990

294,898

93,801

726

551

693

247

245

- -

Tenn.

336,245

252,874

27,820

1,178

971

1,531

526

461

3,158

Texas

1,459,814

1,358,785

30,012

10,769

- -

5,327

3,747

- -

- -

Utah

51,333

74,538

3,758

549

408

462

117

166

72

Vermont

59,806

91,901

1,936

- -

1,010

- -

- -

- -

- -

Virginia

349,766

627,820

5,206

991

1,625

795

- -

- -

- -

Wash.

315,744

354,112

11,892

2,040

4,021

1,883

618

1,071

- -

Wisc.

453,954

646,851

6,693

528

2,625

755

501

517

861

TOTAL

13,920,268

13,855,412

957,712

104,303

102,241

81,091

35,092

23,872

283,968



REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY RESULTS

~

McCain

Romney

Huckabee

Paul

Giuliani

Thompsn

Keyes

Hunter

other

Alabama

204,867

98,019

227,766

14,810

2,134

1,835

778

391

1,555

Arizona

255,197

186,838

48,849

22,692

13,658

9,492

970

1,082

2,257

Arkansas

46,343

30,997

138,557

10,983

658

628

- -

- -

987

California

1,238,988

1,013,471

340,669

125,365

128,681

50,275

11,742

14,021

9,589

Conn.

78,836

49,891

10,607

6,287

2,470

538

376

137

2,462

Delaware

22,628

16,344

7,706

2,131

1,255

- -

- -

- -

175

Dt. Col.

4,198

398

1,020

494

101

- -

- -

- -

- -

Florida

701,761

604,932

262,681

62,887

286,089

22,668

4,060

2,847

1,573

Georgia

304,751

290,707

326,874

28,096

7,162

3,414

1,458

755

324

Illinois

426,777

257,265

148,053

45,055

11,837

7,259

2,318

- -

858

Louisiana

67,551

10,222

69,594

8,590

1,593

1,603

837

368

811

Maryland

176,046

22,426

91,608

19,196

4,548

2,901

3,386

522

356

Mass.

204,779

255,892

19,103

13,251

2,707

916

- -

258

2,112

Michigan

257,985

338,316

139,764

54,475

24,725

32,159

- -

2,819

18,926

Miss.

113,074

2,177

17,943

5,510

945

2,160

842

414

221

Missouri

194,053

172,329

185,642

26,464

3,593

3,102

892

307

2,462

N.Hamp.

88,571

75,546

26,859

18,308

20,439

2,894

203

1,225

592

N. Jersey

309,842

158,692

45,699

26,913

14,446

3,135

- -

- -

- -

N. York

333,001

178,043

68,477

40,113

23,260

- -

- -

- -

- -

Ohio

634,875

35,219

324,072

49,032

- -

16,369

- -

- -

- -

Okla.

122,772

83,030

111,899

11,183

2,412

1,924

817

317

700

Rhode Is.

17,480

1,181

5,847

1,777

- -

- -

117

- -

594

So. Car.

147,686

68,142

132,943

16,154

9,557

69,651

- -

1,051

315

Tenn.

176,091

130,632

190,904

31,026

5,159

16,263

978

738

2,024

Texas

709,477

27,624

523,553

69,954

6,174

11,815

8,594

8,262

19,209

Utah

15,931

264,956

4,252

8,846

988

613

261

211

- -

Vermont

28,417

1,809

5,698

2,635

931

- -

- -

- -

- -

Virginia

244,829

18,002

199,003

21,999

2,024

3,395

- -

- -

- -

Wash.

262,304

86,140

127,657

40,539

5,145

4,865

2,226

1,056

- -

Wisc.

224,755

8,080

151,707

19,060

1,935

2,709

- -

799

1,035

TOTAL

7,613,865

4,487,320

3,955,006

803,825

584,626

272,583

40,855

37,580

69,137



2008 PETITIONING FOR PRESIDENT

STATE
REQUIREMENTS
SIGNATURES COLLECTED
DEADLINES
FULL PARTY
CAND
LIB'T
GREEN
CONSTI
NADER
Party
Indp.

Alabama

37,513

5,000

0

0

0

0

June 3

Sep. 8

Alaska

(reg) 7,124

#3,128

already on

*3,448

0

0

Aug. 6

Aug. 6

Ariz.

20,449

est. #22,500

already on

*finished

100

200

Mar. 6

June 4

Arkansas

10,000

#1,000

already on

already on

already on

0

June 30

Aug. 4

Calif.

(reg) 88,991

158,372

already on

already on

already on

can’t start

Dec. 31, 07

Aug. 8

Colorado

(reg) 1,000

pay $500

already on

already on

already on

0

June 1

June 17

Conn.

no procedure

#7,500

0

*500

0

0

- - -

Aug. 6

Delaware

(reg) *284

*5,674

already on

already on

already on

0

Aug. 12

July 15

D.C.

no procedure

est. #3,900

can’t start

already on

can’t start

can’t start

- - -

Aug. 19

Florida

be organized

104,334

already on

already on

already on

0

Sep. 2

July 15

Georgia

44,089

#42,489

already on

*3,000

0

0

July 8

July 8

Hawaii

663

4,291

already on

*finished

*finished

finished

Apr. 3

Sep. 5

Idaho

11,968

5,984

already on

0

already on

0

Aug. 29

Aug. 25

Illinois

no procedure

#25,000

*800

already on

*0

300

- - -

June 23

Indiana

no procedure

#32,742

already on

0

0

0

- - -

June 30

Iowa

no procedure

#1,500

0

0

0

0

- - -

Aug. 15

Kansas

16,994

5,000

already on

0

0

0

June 2

Aug. 4

Kentucky

no procedure

#5,000

0

0

*300

0

- - -

Sep. 2

La.

(reg) 1,000

pay $500

already on

already on

47

0

May 22

Sep. 2

Maine

27,544

#4,000

0

already on

0

0

Dec 14, 07

Ag 15

Maryland

10,000

est. 32,500

already on

already on

0

0

Aug. 4

Aug. 4

Mass.

est. (reg) 40,500

#10,000

*500

already on

65

0

Feb. 1

July 29

Michigan

38,024

38,024

already on

already on

already on

probly on

July 17

July 17

Minnesota

110,150

#2,000

0

0

0

0

July 15

Sep. 9

Mississippi

be organized

1,000

already on

already on

already on

0

Jan. 10

Sep. 5

Missouri

10,000

10,000

already on

0

finished

0

July 28

July 28

Montana

5,000

#5,000

already on

650

already on

0

Mar. 13

July 30

Nebraska

5,921

2,500

*9,100

already on

already on

0

Aug. 1

Aug. 26

Nevada

5,746

5,746

already on

already on

already on

0

July 3

July 3

N. Hamp.

12,524

#3,000

*2,400

0

0

0

Aug. 6

Aug. 6

New Jersey

no procedure

#800

0

0

0

0

- - -

July 28

New Mex.

2,794

16,764

already on

already on

*finished

finished

Apr. 1

June 4

New York

no procedure

#15,000

can't start

can't start

can't start

can’t start

- - -

Aug. 19

No. Car.

69,734

69,734

*100,000

9,000

100

0

May 16

June 12

No. Dakota

7,000

#4,000

already on

0

already on

0

Apr. 11

Sep. 5

Ohio

20,114

5,000

*uncertain

0

*10,500

0

Aug 21

Aug. 21

Oklahoma

46,324

43,913

400

0

0

0

May 1

July 15

Oregon

20,640

18,356

already on

already on

already on

0

Aug. 26

Aug. 26

Penn.

no procedure

#24,666

*1,000

*50

*0

0

- - -

Aug. 1

Rhode Isl.

18,557

#1,000

0

0

0

0

May 30

Sep. 5

So. Caro.

10,000

10,000

already on

already on

already on

maybe on

May 4

July 15

So. Dakota

8,389

3,356

*0

0

*already on

0

Mar. 25

Aug. 5

Tennessee

45,254

25

in court

in court

in court

0

unsettled

Aug. 21

Texas

43,991

74,108

already on

*5,000

*0

0

*May 26

May 12

Utah

2,000

#1,000

already on

*0

already on

0

Feb. 15

Sep. 2

Vermont

be organized

#1,000

already on

already on

already on

0

Jan. 1

Sep. 12

Virginia

no procedure

#10,000

*1,000

*1,000

0

7,500

- - -

Aug. 22

Wash.

no procedure

#1,000

can’t start

can’t start

can’t start

can’t start

- - -

July 26

West Va.

no procedure

#15,118

0

already on

*8,600

0

- - -

Aug. 1

Wisconsin

10,000

#2,000

already on

already on

0

0

June 2

Sep. 2

Wyoming

3,868

3,868

already on

0

*250

0

June 2

Aug. 25

TOTAL STATES ON
28
21
*17
0
~ ~

#partisan label is OK (other than "independent").
*entry changed since March 1, 2008 B.A.N.
"Nader" column refers to independent petitions, except that Nader is qualifying the Independent Party in Hawaii and New Mexico.


LIBERTARIAN, CONSTITUTION PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDERS

During late March, both the Libertarian and Constitution Parties gathered considerable publicity, because some well-known individuals hinted that they will try to obtain those parties’ presidential nominations. Alan Keyes is expected to declare for the Constitution Party nomination on April 15. Former U.S. Senator Mike Gravel joined the Libertarian Party on March 25 and on March 26 said he would try to win its presidential nomination. Former Georgia Congressman Bob Barr says he is thinking about entering the Libertarian race as well. Finally, Mary Ruwart, who is well-known inside the Libertarian Party, said on March 17 that she will seek the nomination.


MINOR PARTY PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES

Massachusetts Green: Ralph Nader 744, Cynthia McKinney 474, Kat Swift 60, Jared Ball 42, Kent Mesplay 39, Elaine Brown 38, no preference 194, write-ins 273.

Liberty Union (Vt.): Brian Moore 178, write-ins 221.


VERMONT PROGRESSIVES COULD WIN GOVERNORSHIP THIS YEAR

Vermont Progressive Party chairman Anthony Pollina announced his gubernatorial candidacy on March 13. He is very well known throughout Vermont and conceivably could be elected. He founded Rural Vermont in 1985, to work for a more favorable property tax for farmers. In 1991 he became Policy Advisor to Bernie Sanders, then the independent Congressman for Vermont. In 1996 Pollina became director of Vermont PIRG (Public Interest Research Group).

Pollina polled 9.59% for Governor in 2000. In 2002 he polled 24.76% for Lieutenant Governor. The Democratic Party of Vermont does not have a well-known candidate for Governor so far this year, and some Democrats have indicated they will support Pollina.


NADER CHOOSES MATT GONZALEZ

On February 28, Ralph Nader announced that Matt Gonzalez will be his vice-presidential running mate. Gonzalez is a former San Francisco County Supervisor, who changed his registration to "Green" while he was in office. In 2003 he ran for Mayor (the election was officially non-partisan) and polled 47% in a two-person race. He re-registered "Independent" recently.


INDIANA CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION

On March 11, Indiana held a special U.S. House election to fill the vacant 7th district seat. The results: Democratic 53.2%; Republican 43.8%; Libertarian 2.9%. When this seat was up in 2006, the results had been: Democratic 53.8%; Republican 46.2%.


PROHIBITION PARTY

Although the Prohibition Party continues to be split into two competing national groups, both groups have agreed that Gene Amondson is the party presidential nominee.


ALASKAN INDEPENDENCE PARTY WILL CHOOSE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE

The Alaskan Independence Party has appeared on the ballot in every Alaska state election since 1970, but it had never entered a presidential race until 2004, when it nominated Michael Peroutka, the Constitution Party nominee. The Alaskan Independence Party held a state convention on March 14-16 and decided to again nominate a presidential candidate. The choice will be between whomever the Constitution Party nominates (that national convention is in late April), and Frank McEnulty. McEnulty started out as an independent presidential candidate this year, and he is now also the presidential candidate of the New American Independent Party (a party without ballot status in any state so far). McEnulty attended the Alaskan Independence Party convention.


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