North Carolina Supreme Court Moves 2022 Primary from March 8 to May 17

Posted on by December 8, 2021
2

On December 8, the North Carolina Supreme Court issued an order in Harper v Hall, 413P21, moving the 2022 primary from March 8 to May 17. The Court also closed candidate filing for the district offices. The Supreme Court also instructed the lower state court to rule on the constitutionality of the new U.S. House and legislative districts by January 11, 2022.

As a result of this order, the only 2022 state primary earlier than May is the Texas March primary. There is a fair chance that primary will be postponed as well.

An indirect consequence of the North Carolina order is that independent candidates now have until May 17 to submit their petitions, for 2022. Thanks to Political Wire for this news.

New Mexico Libertarian Party Recruits its First Gubernatorial Nominee

Posted on by December 8, 2021
94

According to this story, Tim Walsh will seek the New Mexico Libertarian gubernatorial nomination. He was an advisor to former Gary Johnson on education, when Johnson was the state’s Republican Governor 1995-2003. He is also a retired school teacher.

The New Mexico Libertarian Party has never before had a gubernatorial nominee. It is the only state in which the party has never had a gubernatorial nominee on the ballot, although the Rhode Island Libertarian Party has not had one since 1976. Thanks to Independent Political Report for the link.

New Hampshire Ballot Access Bills

Posted on by December 7, 2021
20

Two bills have been introduced in the New Hampshire legislature, for the 2022 session, to improve ballot access. Both are by Representative Kevin Craig (R-Lancaster). He is in his second term and represents part of Coos County, the northernmost county.

HB 1149 cuts the number of signatures for independent candidates, and the nominees of unqualified parties. Statewide petitions drop from 3,000 to 1,000. U.S. House from 1,500 to 500. State Senate from 750 to 250; State House from 150 to 50.

HB 1197 changes the definition of a qualified party from a group that polled 4% for either Governor or U.S. Senator, to 1%. Thanks to Alvin See for this news.