Indiana State Representative Ethan Manning (R-Denver) has introduced HB 1134. It would require some statewide candidates nominated by minor qualified parties to submit a petition of 4,500 signatures, with at least 500 from each U.S. House district. See it here. The details are not spelled out.
The bill makes no theoretical sense. Candidates of parties that have primaries must submit such petitions, but the purpose of those petitions is to keep primary ballots from being crowded. But that rationale doesn’t apply to parties that nominate by convention.
The only party that nominates by convention in Indiana is the Libertarian Party.
It is also really difficult to qualify a minor party or independent candidate for the ballot in Indiana, although, once a minor party gets on the IN ballot, it is pretty easy to stay on it. The last time the LP had to petition for ballot access in Indiana was in 1992.
This bill is obviously trying to target the LP, since the LP is the only alternative party that has been on the IN ballot for quite awhile. Hopefully it fails to pass.
I just heard about this bill while listening to WBAA, Purdue University’s classical radio station. The story quoted a Democratic representative who called the bill “cynical,” so maybe we’ll see some strong pushback from that side of the aisle in the Indiana legislature:
https://www.wbaa.org/post/bill-would-impose-signature-requirement-statewide-libertarian-candidates-indiana#stream/0
Generally speak, in states where Republicans have a majority, they attack ballot access, and in states where Democrats have a majority, they attack ballot access.
Andy, the Libertarian Party had to petition in 1994 in Indiana.
Ok. I was off by two years.
ORDERS from Devil City to CRUSH ALL MINOR PARTIES –
TO NOT HAVE A-N-Y MORE CLOSE ELECTIONS FOR USA REPS, SENS, PREZ/VP.
WHEN WILL A MINOR PARTY GET A LAWYER WITH A BRAIN CELL TO DETECT ***EQUAL** IN 14-1 AMDT ???
EQUAL NOM PETS – ALL OFFICES.
SORRY – EQUAL BURDEN ON MINOR PARTY CANDIDATES.
Again with the eating pets. Get a life, retard