Another Bill in West Virginia Legislature to Ease Definition of “Political Party”

Four West Virginia Delegates have introduced HB 4477, which eases the definition of “political party.” It says that a group is a party if it polled 1% for any statewide office at either of the last two elections. Alternatively, it meets the definition if its registration is above one-tenth of 1%, which currently would be 1,218 registrants.

Currently the Mountain Party and the Libertarian Party are ballot-qualified, because they polled 1% for Governor in 2012. If this bill passed, they would both have enough registered members to remain ballot-qualified, and would not need to worry about running for any particular statewide office in the future. Currently the Constitution Party, which is not on the ballot, has 185 registered members, so it would need to increase its size in order to qualify.

The sponsors are Doug Reynolds (D-Huntington), Pat McGeehan (R-Chester), Steven Shaffer (D-Tunnelton), and Mike Folk (R-Martinsburg). Another bill to ease the definition of “party”, HB 4356, has two sponsors, McGeehan and Isaac Sponaugle. Thanks to Jeff Becker for this news.


Comments

Another Bill in West Virginia Legislature to Ease Definition of “Political Party” — 2 Comments

  1. For those who want to help, please make telephone calls to these House Judiciary Committee members to move this legislation out of committee to a floor vote:
    Mike Azinger
    (304) 340-3202

    Andrew Byrd
    (304) 340-3362

    Frank Deem
    (304) 340-3137

    Tom Fast
    (304) 340-3170

    Barbara Evans Fleischauer
    (304) 340-3127

    Shawn Fluharty
    (304) 340-3270

    Michael Folk
    SPONSOR of HB4477
    (304) 340-3350

    Geoff Foster
    (304) 340-3121

    Roger Hanshaw
    (304) 340-3135

    Kayla Kessinger
    (304) 340-3197

    Patrick Lane
    House Judiciary Vice-Chair
    (304) 340-3252

    Tim Manchin
    House Judiciary Minority Chair
    (304) 340-3331

    Justin Marcum
    (304) 340-3126

    John B. McCuskey
    (304) 340-3183

    Clif Moore
    (304) 340-3165

    John Overington
    (304) 340-3148

    Larry L. Rowe
    (304) 340-3287

    Steven Shaffer
    SPONSOR of HB4477
    (304) 340-3160

    John Shott
    Republican House Judiciary Chair
    (304) 340-3252

    Stephen Skinner
    House Judiciary Minority Vice-Chair
    (304) 340-3248

    Kelli Sobonya
    (304) 340-3175

    Amy Summers
    (304) 340-3139

    Ryan Weld
    (304) 340-3367

    Mark Zatezalo
    (304) 340-3120

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