Current Vermont election laws says that if a party entitled to a primary doesn’t nominate anyone at its primary, then the party committee can choose a nominee after the primary is over. This year’s omnibus election law bill, HB 477, deletes this method for nominating a candidate. The Progressive Party, which uses this committee method fairly often, is hoping to get that part of the bill deleted. The bill has a hearing in the House Government Operations Committee on March 18. Thanks to Rick Kissell for this news.
Hmmm. A conspiracy by the Donkeys/Elephants to wipe out the Progressive folks even in super-liberal Vermont ???
VT was State 14 in 1791 – after some major machinations regarding NY, NH and MA.
VT folks were in a de facto *Republic* in 1777-1791 — although part of the USA in the 1783 USA-Brit Peace Treaty.
Sounds like the major parties in Vermont are finding ways of slowly killing the Progressive Party.
First of all, how does a party – any party – expect to grow if it does not encourage voters to run in its primary. In the case of the Progressive Party, they ought to find at least find “warm bodies” (who can be trusted) to run. I assume that one candidate would keep the party spot on the General Election Ballot from being vacant – which is what it appears the major parties who support this bill desire.
Secondly, I thought the State of Vermont allowed co-nomination, thereby allowing a candidate to automatically appear on the General Election Ballot? I’m sure the Vermont Progressive Party would be too liberal for me, but I hope they fight these major parties as they silently attempt to kill all 3rd parties and thwart all Independent candidates.