On July 15, the West Virginia legislature came into special session, partly in order to consider amending the election law to set forth procedures for a special election for U.S. Senate this year. The Governor’s proposal is HB 201, and it leaves many details out of the bill, and instead gives the Governor authority to specify those details. Among those details is how an independent candidate, or the candidate of an unqualified party, would get on the ballot for the special election. See this story, in which several legislative leaders are quoted as saying that the bill should spell these details out.
Is WV one more New Age DICTATORSHIP regime ???
NO separation of powers in the WV so-called Constitution ???
SOP is one of the very few things stopping all sorts of party hack tyrants from doing their EVIL stuff.
It is silly to go with a primary before a special election. Just go with a special election open to all candidates, with a runoff to ensure a majority. The appointee can server until after a runoff and still have 2 years more on the term.
If indy/minor parties aren’t accommodated by our legislature, I suggest massive write-ins for this office by many candidates (official filing deadline Sept 21, no fees)
The burocRats hate to count write-ins. Even though they are now mostly electronic, they must be looked at manually with official write-in lists properly posted in two locations at each polling place. They absolutely hate having to follow procedure! It does not fit in with their scheme.
The Senate just passed their version of the bill by 29-1 (4 not voting). State House still working on their version. Still no word on ballot access for indy/minor party candidates: http://www.wvnstv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=82970