Washington Newspaper “The Columbian” Analyzes Minor Party Problems in Washington State
The Columbian, newspaper for Vancouver, Washington, has this interesting story about the Libertarian Party and election systems.
There’s Zero Reason for Busybody Bureaucrats to Prohibit Your In-Flight Phone Calls
Another reason to support the Write the Laws Act
Traffic fatalities decline when cannabis use rises?
At the beginning if the year, cannabis was re-legalized in Colorado. Those opposed to the move predicted dire results for the Rocky Mountain State, including increased usage and a rise …
All South Dakota Statewide State Offices Have Minor Party or Independent Candidates on Ballot
For the first time since 1916, every statewide South Dakota state office has a minor party or independent candidate on the general election ballot. See this newspaper story, which focuses on the Libertarian Party statewide nominating convention and, at the bottom, lists all the nominees for all the statewide offices. There is no minor party(More)…
California Bill, Easing Petition in Lieu of Filing Fee in Special Elections, Passes Legislature
On August 7, California AB 2233 passed the State Senate, so it is now through the legislature and on its way to Governor Jerry Brown. It lowers the number of signatures in lieu of filing fee in special elections, on the grounds that the petitioning period in special elections is invariably much shorter than in(More)…
Start Date for 2016 Republican National Convention Depends on Basketball Outcomes
On August 8, the Republican Party officially determined that the 2016 national convention will be in Cleveland, but whether the convention starts in late June or early July is still unknown. See this story. Thanks to Thomas Jones for the link.
Montana Democratic Party Loses U.S. Senate Nominee; Will Choose Another by Party Meeting
On August 7, Montana Democratic Party nominee John Walsh, running for re-election to the U.S. Senate, dropped out of the race. The Democratic Party will choose a new nominee by August 20. Walsh had been renominated in the June 3, 2014 primary. See this story. If Montana had California’s top-two system, and if Walsh had(More)…
Florida Legislature Redraws U.S. House District Boundaries for Seven Districts
On August 7, the Florida legislature produced a new redistricting plan for U.S. House seats. The plan alters the boundaries of seven districts. See this story. Thanks to PoliticalWire for the link.
U.S. Senator Pat Roberts Attacks His Independent Opponent
On August 6, U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) criticized Greg Orman, the well-funded independent candidate who is running against Roberts. See this story. Most of the time, major party nominees for Governor or U.S. Senator won’t even mention their independent and minor party opponents.
U.S. District Court in Arkansas Denies State’s Attempt to Dismiss Independent Candidate Ballot Access Case
On August 4, U.S. District Court Judge James M. Moody, Jr. denied the motion from Arkansas government attorneys to dismiss the case Moore v Martin, eastern district, 4:14cv-65. The issue is the March 3 petition deadline for non-presidential independent candidates. That deadline had been in May, until 2013, when the legislature moved it to March.(More)…