The Alabama House Constitution and Elections Committee will hear HB 142 on January 27. This bill lowers the number of signatures for an independent candidate (for office other than president) from 3% of the last gubernatorial vote, to 1.5% of the last gubernatorial vote. For 2010, the number for a statewide office would drop from 37,513 signatures, to 18,757 signatures. The bill’s author is Representative Cam Ward (R-Alabaster). Thanks to Don Webb for this news. UPDATE: the hearing is at 9 a.m., in Room 603 of the State House Building, 11 S. Union St., Montgomery.