On December 1, the Tennessee State Executive Committee passed a resolution in favor of changing voter registration forms, to ask voters to choose a party. This would enable parties that have primaries to close them. See this story.
The party also endorsed raising the number of signatures for independent candidates. Currently all candidates need 25 signatures, except presidential independents need 275. The resolution recommends 1,000 for statewide office; 500 for U.S. House; 200 for State Senate; and 75 for State House. County offices would still need 25.
NO primaries. NO registration PURGE lists.
EQUAL ballot access tests – nomination petitions as percent of voters for state guv in area
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PR and AppV
Tennessee should eliminate partisan nominations and exclusionary primaries.
Candidates would qualify based on the demonstrated support of 0.1% of the previous gubernatorial vote.
This would be roughly 2238 for statewide office, 249 for congress, 68 for senate, and 23 for the house.
Rather than petition, support would be by persons showing up at courthouses and being counted.
Elector form- [9, 10 or 12] point type, [3.5 by 4.25 inches]
NOMINATING PETITION – [PARTISAN] (for legislative offices) [NONPARTISAN] (for executive/judicial offices)
I nominate (candidate’s name and address) (of the (one word party name – not more than [16] capital letters) Party) for (office) in (election area) at the (date) election.
Elector signature, printed name, address and date signed.
Return to- (address)
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JR can estimate the cost.
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PR and AppV
Make one set of rules for everyone.
I’d love to see someone challenge the practice in virtually every state of having one set of rules for Republicans and Democrats and another for third parties and independents. This is nothing but state-sponsored discrimination, to no compelling purpose.
Tim- see my earlier postings about the UNEQUAL ballot access laws in ALL States for some or all partisan offices.