Illinois State Senator Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) has introduced SB 63, which lowers the number of signatures for independent candidates, and the nominees of unqualified parties, to the same number of signatures that are needed for a major party member to get on a primary ballot. In the case of statewide office, that would lower the general election petition from 25,000 signatures to 5,000. Here is the bill.
Am I missing something? It seems like there’s this tidal wave of rational ballot access reform legislation being proposed around the country. Whats driving this push to allow independent/3rd party candidates to run?
Thanks for the information there Richard! I’m spreading the news around as much as I can. This could potentially be a massive step in the right direction…if State Sen. McCarter drops the bit about banning “un-American” Parties.
Actually, at the beginning of odd years, there are usually good ballot access bills introduced in a dozen states or so. And some of them always pass. It’s like buying lottery tickets…one can’t win if one doesn’t act.
Richard, That’s true but I hope that the odds are better than winning the lottery!
Great idea.
This is long overdue. Just the barest facts on public dissatisfaction with the two major parties should be enough to wake up our representatives up to the need for a larger number of choices. As one who has petitioned several times, the task is currently too onerous in too many states. It is undemocratic and it is protective of oligarchies at the state and national level that have brought what was once an admired political system into increasing disrepute.
I believe its the Bernie Sanders effect.