Alabama will hold a special election on June 28 to fill the vacant seat in the State House of Representatives, 105th district. The legislator elected in November 2010, Spencer Collier, resigned in January to take a job in the executive branch of state government. The election will be between Bill Atkinson, the Constitution Party nominee, and whoever wins the special Republican primary on March 22.
The Constitution Party qualified to run in this special election by submitting a petition signed by at least 235 valid signatures (3% of the vote cast in this district in November 2010). No Democrat filed to run, even though a Democrat would not have needed to collect any signatures. Democrats didn’t run for this seat in November 2010 either. The seat is in southern Mobile County. Thanks to Joshua Cassity for this news.
P.R.
Candidate and incumbent rank order replacement lists for vacancies in legislative bodies.
NO more special elections — very expensive per vote.
I hope the Constitution Party was wise enough this time to leave the word “The” out of their name submitted to the Secretary of State. Alabama election law requires the parties to be listed on the ballot in alphabetical order. If a party uses the word “The” as part of its name, then it listed in that order.
In the 2010 General Election the CP was listed on the ballot as “The Constitution Party of Alabama” and this placed it 2nd on the ballot behind the “Alabama Republican Party” the only other party listed in the 1st Congressional District. Had the CP simply filed as “Alabama Constitution Party” it would have been listed 1st in the congressional race, and it might – by being listed first – through human nature of some indifferent voters to vote for the 1st name they see on the ballot for an office, have gotten a handful more votes.
As I’ve said before, “3rd partisans are their own worst enemies.” By not reading and thoroughly understanding the elections laws can cost votes.
I hope the CP of Alabama did not make this mistake again. I guess we’ll soon know.
FANTASTIC NEWS. It is time for the CONSTITUTION PARTY to shine. Here’s praying that WE WIN. You go, Bill. I am praying for you. Soon the Republican Party will be the third party. Wonder what their arguments will be then against third parties. Wonder if they’ll take the blame for “giving elections to Democrats.” 🙂 Come on, constitutionally-hearted Republicans, jump off the train BEFORE it goes off the cliff. It’s going too fast to redirect it. Y’all have been trying FOR YEARS. We are waiting for you with open arms.
We are aware and understand election laws. However, the former affiliate of our national party was known as the Alabama Constitutional Party. We have exchanged emails with the chair of this affiliate, but have been unable to reach any agreement. Maybe we could change our name (since the latter is not registered as a PAC) , but there no reason using our limited resources fighting a court battle. Our expected nominee is being supported by members of the former affiliate; I am hoping this race will eventually help merge our two groups. If this happens we will then proceed with changing our name. Hopefully, by the 2012 elections, we will have some agreement worked out.
At least the candidate should get 20 %.
#2 How about Aardvark Party ???
US third-party advocates think they can defeat the laws of mathematics and logic by wishful thinking. Do some research and see how new successful parties are created on a regular basis in countries like Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Israel. Hint: it can’t be done through a first-past-the-post AKA plurality system.
# 7 See the very recent Ireland election — about 7 parties and about 13 independents.
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We are aware and understand election laws. However, the former affiliate of our national party was known as the Alabama Constitutional Party. We have exchanged emails with the chair of this affiliate, but have been unable to reach any agreement
= You are wasting your time with such people, the members of the former affiliate are religious kooks and bigots that don’t like the fact that there are Mormons and other non-theocratic & non-Calvinists in the CP.
To bring these people back in will create nothing but heartache and serious infighting that will hurt your affiliate very badly.