The Washington House State Government Hearing holds a hearing on HB 1534 on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at 10 am. That bill revises procedures for minor party and independent candidates, and makes them slightly better. The bill was written by the office of Sam Reed, Secretary of State. Unfortunately the bill also imposes a minimum vote test on ballot-qualified parties; their nominees must not only get more votes than anyone running against them in their own primary, but those nominees must also poll a certain number of votes to be nominated. The only other state with such a requirement is North Dakota.