Ballot access activists in Oklahoma and Pennsylvania are doing an excellent job, publicizing the issue and working for legislative change in 2007. The Oklahoma Ballot Group, and the Oklahoma Coalition of Independents, have been asking Democratic and Republican state legislators whether they will support improving the ballot access laws next year. They have identified Senator Randy Brogdon (R), Senator Andrew Rice (D), and these House members: Jason Murphy (R), Ryan McMullen (D), Ron Peterson (R), Jennifer Seal (D), and Rae Weese (D).

In Pennsylvania, a pro-ballot access reform rally was held at the State Capitol on October 31. The rally attracted press attention, which caused a reporter to ask Governor Ed Rendell about his ideas on ballot access reform. The Governor, who is likely to be re-elected next week, said he has no plans to ask the legislature to improve the law. He also said that the law isn’t impossible since “some people made the ballot.” He seems not to realize that no statewide minor party or independent candidates succeeded in Pennsylvania this year, and that Pennsylvania is one of only 4 states with a ballot monopoly for the two major parties in all statewide races.

Constitutional lawsuits attacking the laws of both states are pending in federal court in Pennsylvania, and state court in Oklahoma.