Alaska Representatives Max Gruenberg (D-Anchorage) and Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks) have introduced HB 17, to establish a top-two system. Because parties would no longer have nominees (except for president) the bill deletes the vote test for a party to become or remain ballot-qualified, but retains the alternative registration test. Thanks to J. R. Myers for this news.
The top 2 primary brain disease gets worse – like Ebola.
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P.R. and nonpartisan App.V.
This is a continuation of the effort by the major parties to eliminate 3rd parties. Top Two is the natural enemy of all 3rd parties and Independent candidates.
A candidate may designate a political party or party group as their party preference, so party status only really matters for presidential elections, and appointment to some special bodies, such as the Public Offices Commission.
Write-ins would be permitted on general election ballots, and sore losers would be permitted to declare as a write-in candidates.
“Because parties would no longer have nominees (except for president)…”
Well, the Alaskan Independence Party might as well fold up now and have a yard sale. I was told by one of its officers they were not interested in nominating presidential candidates. Old Joe Volger would turn over in his grave if he knew how the current officers of the AIP are allowing this party he fought for to go out of existence solely because of their inaction. What a shame!
So far both the Alaska Constitution Party and Alaska Libertarian Party have come out against this bill.
And you should. Don’t expect the AIP to come out against or for it, as they don’t seem to care what is going on until it is too late. Someone ought to take control of the AIP before that party withers away due to its “do nothing” leaders. It’s sad when one thinks of all the hard work the late Joe Volker did to keep the party alive, and the leaders won’t even’t run candidates. What a disgrace.