Connecticut Bill to Force Independent Party to Change its Name

Posted on by March 19, 2024

On March 13, the Connecticut House Government Administration & Elections Committee introduced an omnibus election bill that includes a provision making it illegal for any qualified party to have “Independent” as part of its name. The bill, HB 5498, can be seen here. The provision about party names is on page 20. It also bans “unaffiliated”, or “unenrolled” in party names.

The Independent Party of Connecticut has been ballot-qualified for most federal and state offices starting in 2008. If the bill becomes law, it would be forced to change its name by January 1, 2025.

Here is a news story about the bill, which had a hearing on March 18. The party testified against that part of the bill. The committee hasn’t acted on the bill yet.

In 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a similar bill. Here is his veto message. He said the idea violates the First Amendment.

Comments

Connecticut Bill to Force Independent Party to Change its Name — 22 Comments

  6. Richard, please ban the ridiculous and annoying AZ bot already. Four posts completely unrelated to the topic of this thread, and the only one that is is just abject garbage.

  9. AZ has been a subscriber to the print Ballot Access News since it was started in 1985. He often finds worthwhile stories for BAN. He is very good at noticing when the Federal Election Commission puts out an updated chart on primary dates and filing deadlines.

    If it weren’t for people who subscribe to Ballot Access News (to receive the monthly print issues, either in the postal mail or via e-mail), this website wouldn’t exist. Also COFOE gets all its revenue from such people. COFOE has recently made a large donation to get a ballot access case of great importance filed (the filing hasn’t happened yet). I hope some blog readers will consider becoming subscribers. It is only $18 per year for 12 monthly issues. Make a check out to Ballot Access News and send to PO Box 470296, San Francisco Ca 94147; or use paypal using the e-mail richardwinger@yahoo.com. Thank you. Bill Redpath and I share in the proceeds.

  10. Parties wouldn’t necessarily even need names if voting was by standing count.

  11. Abolish ballot censorship by prohibiting government from printing any names on ballots and excluding others. Voters write-in names of specific persons only. Stop tolerating fascist police state fake elections that manipulate voters.

  13. AZ giving you money gives him the right to post bullshit and threaten people? That’s retarded.

  15. Fred – exactly! Richard, perhaps if you had fewer AZhats on this thread, more people would take you seriously and subscribe to your print edition.

  17. IF ANYTHING BAN SHOULD REQUIRE THAT ONLY PAID BAN PAPER/EM FOLKS CAN POST STUFF ABOUT ELECTIONS.

    TROLL MORONS CAN HOWL AT THE MOON AND RAVE ABOUT BLOOD-SUCKING STATISTS IN A CIRCULAR FIRING SQUAD.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.