Eight Ohio State Senators have introduced SB 43, to simplify ballot access for presidential candidates running in presidential primaries. Under current law, such presidential candidates must submit the names of a large number of candidates for Delegate to the national convention, when they qualify for the presidential primary ballot. The bill would delete the need for presidential candidates to submit such lists. As under current law, presidential primary candidates would continue to either submit 1,000 signatures, or be qualified for primary season matching funds. The bill’s sponsors include seven Democrats and one Republican. The delegates would be chosen according to party bylaws.
The best way to simplify the process would be to institute a direct primary. The candidates would only have to name 20 elector candidates and VP candidate.