Comments on: Fourth Circuit Upholds South Carolina Restriction on Fusion

By: Jim Riley

Jim Riley — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:13:12 +0000

The opinion says that Eugene Platt filed with the Democratic Party on March 17; the Working Family Party on March 27; and the Green Party on May 3. He was nominated by the Green Party on May 3; The Working Family Party on May 10. He was defeated for the Democratic nomination on June 10.

If Eugene Platt had not filed when he did for Democratic primary, he would not have been on the ballot.

It is not accurate to claim that Eugene Platt sought the Democratic nomination after being nominated by the other parties.

The South Carolina legislature recently passed a bill that would have clarified that timely statement of candidate filing with each party is required. Unfortunately the governor vetoed that bill.

Alvin Greene received the most voters to secure the nomination of the Democratic Party for senator. It is not accurate to claim that Vic Rawls was the Democratic Party’s preferred candidate.

By: An Alabama Independent

An Alabama Independent — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 02:20:45 +0000

There’s alot lacking in this fusion law in South Carolina, but I’ll take it anyday over what we currently have in Alabama – which is nothing!

By: robbin stewart

robbin stewart — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:04:34 +0000

I don’t see this decision as a problem. The court upholds a sore loser rule, as courts have for years. It’s the same way in my state, Indiana.
If 3rd parties could be spoilers and run sore losers, they would be more likely to annoy the legislature and get hit with more ballot access hurdles.
(I am running this year for the state house as a republican, after being unable to get the libertarian nomination.)

By: D.C. Finegold-Sachs

D.C. Finegold-Sachs — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:26:45 +0000

It is not just Vic Rawls who was kepted off the ballot as the Working Families Party’s nominee. Jim Rex was the party’s gubernatorial nominee until he lost the Democratic nomination to Vincent Sheheen. And the case that parellels Greene’s victory, the Democratic establisment’s preferred candidate Robert Burton had to forfeit the Working Families Party’s nomination when he lost the Democratic primary to political newcomer Ben Frasier.

By: Richard

Richard — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:57:08 +0000

One could perhaps say that the decision is a boost to this year’s Green Party nominee for U.S. Senate, Mr. Clements. The decision guarantees that Vic Rawls won’t run in November. But on the other hand, Rawls probably wouldn’t have run this November as the Working Families nominee even if the case had gone the other way.

By: Gregg Jocoy

Gregg Jocoy — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:53:45 +0000

This is disappointing news indeed. Thanks for following this news Richard.

On the good side of things though, Platt has submitted over 2000 signatures to appear on this November’s ballot as a petition candidate as well as a Green Party nominee. With 1300 signatures needed to secure that second spot on the ballot it seems likely that the petition effort will be a success.

By: Green Party Watch » Blog Archive » 4th Circuit Court of Appeals affirms ruling against Eugene Platt unanimously - America’s #1 Source for Green Party News & Views

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:51:28 +0000

[...] A full evaluation of the decision is available at Ballot Access News. [...]