Washington, D.C. city councilmembers Jack Evans and Anita Bonds have introduced B21-576. It would make it easier for presidential candidates to get on a presidential primary ballot. Current law requires a petition of 1,000 party members (or 1% of the party membership, whichever is less). The bill would say that if a political party desires to set out its own rules, those rules would apply. Presumably, if this bill passes, the parties would simply dispense with petitions, although they would probably require a filing fee.
I’m pretty sure that under the current law in DC, candidates for presidential nominations have the option of paying a filing fee instead of gathering petition signatures. I’d have to look it up to be sure, but that is what I recall from when I looked it up.
Paper ballot with write-in space for each office. Minimal printing costs and no excuse for filing fees. Filing fees do not entitle voters and candidates to an honest count. Abolish the filing fees.
Andy, I think the current law is that if parties desire, there can be either a petition and a small filing fee, or no petition and a big filing fee. But this is very confusing. I hope you learn more.