Texas has a unique law that requires newly-qualifying parties to notify the state by January 2 of the election year, if they wish to petition during the election year. Petitioning itself can’t start in Texas until March.
The Constitution Party has now filed the notice. The parties that had previously filed it for 2016 are Modern Whig, Reform, Christian, and Veterans.
The Constitution Party only got on the ballot for president in 1996. They got about 11,000 plus votes, then decided it wasn’t worth the financial costs.
In 1996 the Constitution Party got 7,472 votes for President in Texas, and the party didn’t have any other statewide nominees.
The Constitution Party was called the US Taxpayers party in 1996. Was the US Taxpayers party similar to the ultra socially Conservative party it is now?
Yes. The party changed its name at its national convention in 1999, but the name change didn’t change what the party stood for.
What is the cost on filing such a notice?
Does such a notice give addition standing related to issue of Cruz having been naturalized in 1978 (7th year of age) & not a “natural born
citizen”?
Mark, here is the form.
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/forms/pol-sub/2-8bf.pdf
Political parties that don’t nominate by primary, must nominate by convention. In Texas, qualification is concurrent with the nomination process, and for a new party is based on attendance at the precinct conventions, which are held in March.
A voter may only participate in the nomination process of one party. The filing by January 2 is to let voters know that the Constitution Party will be holding conventions, so that potential members won’t participate in the primary or convention of another party.
Texas permits parties that don’t have enough attendance to supplement this with a petition signed by voters who did not participate in the conventions. The petition is not circulated until after the first round of conventions.
The CP won’t make it on the ballot in Texas; it’s wishful thinking for them to act like they have the money and resources to do so.
IMO, the CP is more extreme them their U.S. Taxpayer Party predecessor.
Richard, my info came from party sources. They may have been trying to put the best face on it.