Ballot Access News

Alabama Ballot Access Bill Dies

Richard — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:39:37 +0000

Alabama HB 738, which would have lowered the number of signatures for independent candidates (for office other than president) was never brought up on the House floor, and there isn’t enough time left in the session for it to pass. The legislature is about to adjourn for the year.

Minnesota Legislature Expands Bar-Closing Hours for Duration of Republican National Convention

Richard — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:09:47 +0000

The Minnesota legislature has passed HF 3986 and SF 3642, identical bills that say, “During the 2008 Republican National Convention, holders of an on-sale liquor license may remain open and may serve alcohol until 4 a.m. each day.” The Republican National Convention is in Minneapolis and St. Paul this year. The bill only applies to that part of the state, and is repealed effective September 8. The normal bar-closing hour in Minnesota is 2 a.m.

Pollina Opens Active Campaign for Vermont Governor

Richard — Fri, 09 May 2008 03:29:01 +0000

Anthony Pollina, state chair of the Vermont Progressive Party, has been running for Governor for some months. But he began the active campaign on May 6, when his radio ads began airing. Also he started a two-week campaign tour around Vermont on May 6.

His chances of winning will be enhanced if the Democrats don’t run anyone for Governor. The Democratic Speaker of the House, Gaye Symington, says she will decide whether to run in the next week. Symington is not as well-known within Vermont as Pollina.

Washington State Candidate Filing Opens May 12

Richard — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:29:19 +0000

Washington state candidates for all partisan office except president may obtain official forms to run in the August primary, starting on May 12 (Monday). Under “top-two”, no candidate (except presidential candidates) needs any petition. The filing fee is the only ballot access barrier to the August primary. It is important that as many minor party members as possible file for public office this year, especially for Congress. The existence of minor party candidates for Congress will make it possible to gather valuable evidence for any new lawsuit filed against “top-two” (as used in congressional elections), in 2009.

Although the U.S. Supreme Court upheld “top-two” last month, it only upheld it against the claim that “top-two” violates the associational rights of political parties, and even on that point, it only upheld it on its face, not as applied.

No court has yet adjudicated the claim that “top-two” is invalid in congressional elections, on ballot access grounds. Federal law sets congressional elections in November. U.S. Supreme Court jurisprudence has established that ballot access directly to the election itself cannot be denied to candidates who meet the constitutional qualifications to be a member of Congress, and who have a modicum of support, and who are not sabotaging their own party. In 1986 the U.S. Supreme Court said states can use a preliminary screening election to pare down the number of candidates on the November ballot, and that preliminary screening elections are analogous to petitions. But petitions cannot exceed 5% of the electorate.

Bob Barr Press Conference at National Press Club

Richard — Thu, 08 May 2008 17:13:40 +0000

Bob Barr will hold a press conference on May 12 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. It seems likely he will make a formal declaration that he is seeking the Libertarian presidential nomination. Thanks to Third Party Watch.

Michigan Democrats Agree on Delegate Selection, Hope National Party Will Seat Michigan Delegation

Richard — Thu, 08 May 2008 02:38:49 +0000

On May 7, the Michigan Democratic Party chose a delegation of 69 Clinton delegates and 59 Obama delegates, and hopes that the Democratic National Committee will now agree to seat the Michigan delegation. Thanks to Thomas Jones for this news. Here is a news story.

Vermont Legislature Adjourns, Won’t Return for a Veto Session

Richard — Wed, 07 May 2008 21:08:44 +0000

On Saturday, May 3, the Vermont legislature adjourned for the year. In a surprise move, legislative leaders said they won’t bring the legislature back for a day in June to consider whether to override any vetoes. Governor Jim Douglas may or may not sign the National Popular Vote Plan bill, SB 270. He may let it become law without his signature. He must decide by the end of the day, Friday, May 9.

Many Independent Candidates File for Congress in Florida

Richard — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:23:29 +0000

Seven of Florida’s 25 U.S. House seats will have an independent candidate on the ballot in November. There have never before been this many U.S. House races in that state with an independent candidate on the ballot. Florida had extremely stringent petition requirements for independents and minor party candidates before 1999.

One of the independent candidates is a former Democratic state legislator, Ben Graber. He is running in the 19th district against incumbent Democrat Robert Wexler. Here is Graber’s webpage. Wexler usually has no opponents.

Another of the independent candidates for Congress is Burt Saunders, who is now a Republican State Senator. Saunders is running in the 19th district (Naples). Here is his webpage.

Democrats are running someone in all 25 districts. No Republicans are running in the 3rd, 17th, and 20th districts. Thanks to ThirdPartyWatch for the news about Burt Saunders and Ben Graber.

Only One Minor Party Candidate for US House Files in Florida

Richard — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:15:36 +0000

Although Florida has many ballot-qualified minor parties, none of them has any candidates for Congress this year, except for the Term Limits for Congress Party. That is a new party running Richard O. Emmons in the 9th district. Here is its webpage.

State Chair of California American Independent Party Still Favors Nominating Alan Keyes

Richard — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:39:32 +0000

On May 5, Ed Noonan, state chair of the American Independent Party of California, changed the state party’s webpage to show that Chuck Baldwin is the party’s presidential nominee. The AIP is the California affiliate of the Constitution Party, which nominated Baldwin last month in Kansas City.

However, Noonan told me on the telephone on May 7 that he still will work to nominate Alan Keyes as the presidential candidate of the American Independent Party. Noonan feels that Keyes would run a more vigorous campaign than Baldwin will. The AIP state convention will make the decision in Sacramento in June.