On June 7 and June 8, Maine LD 1571 passed second reading in both houses of the legislature. The bill says a newly-qualifying party has two elections, not just one, to satisfy the requirements to remain on the ballot. It also slightly improves the deadline for a newly-qualifying party, from December of the year before the election, to January of the election year.
Parties should not qualify for a ballot, candidates should.
Having party qualification encourages incumbent parties to erect barriers to new parties. Before adoption of the Australian ballot, party thugs would disrupt distribution of ballots. Now days, party lawyers perform the same function. The only discernible difference is that the latter have better manicures.
If candidates qualified for the ballot there would be no need for a myriad of ways to qualify: rub your tummy if you are a Republican or Democrat; pat your head if you are Libertarian or Green; do both and jump up and down in circles if you are an independent.