New York Bill Cutting Number of Signatures for Independent Candidates in 2021 Passed the Legislature on February 10 But Still Hasn’t Been Sent to Governor

Posted on by March 10, 2021
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As previously reported, on February 10, the New York legislature passed A 4686, which cuts the number of signatures for independent candidates in 2021 only. However, the bill still hasn’t been sent to the Governor. It is quite common in New York for bills to pass the legislture, but then they don’t get sent to the Governor for action from him for very long periods of time. These petitions are due in May, so the delay makes it very difficult for 2021 independent candidates to plan their petition drives.

Lake County, Oregon Voters Will Vote in May 2021 on Moving Oregon-Idaho Border

Posted on by March 10, 2021
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Lake County, Oregon voters will vote in local elections on May 18, 2021. Among the items on their ballots will be a county initiative that would allow voters to support the idea that Lake County should leave Oregon and become part of Idaho. The actual question is “Shall the County Board of Commissioners meet three times annually to discuss promoting Lake County’s interests regarding location of the state border.” Two other Oregon counties, Jefferson and Union, voted “yes” on similar measures in 2020. See this story.

Most Provisions of New Iowa Election Law Bill are Challenged in State Court

Posted on by March 10, 2021
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On March 9, the League of United Latin American Citizens of Iowa sued to overturn most provisions of SF 413, the new Iowa election law bill that injures voting in many different ways. Here is the Complaint in LULAC v Pate, in Iowa district court for Polk County. The lawsuit depends on the state constitutional protection for voting. The lawsuit does not challenge the part of the bill that makes ballot access for independent candidates and the nominees of unqualified parties more difficult.

New Mexico Bill to Allow Independents to Vote in Primaries Fails to Pass

Posted on by March 10, 2021
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On March 8, the New Mexico House Judiciary Committee defeated HB 79 on a tie vote of 6-6. It would have allowed independent voters to vote in partisan primaries.

See this story, which has an account of the defeat of this bill, as well as bills to allow fusion and to expand ranked choice voting.

There are other potential good ideas that no legislator in New Mexico seems to think about. New Mexico is the only state in which a ballot-qualified party that nominates by convention is forced to submit a petition for each of its non-presidential nominees. Thus, the number of people who appear on the ballot for the Green and Constitution Parties is very low, because those are ballot-qualified parties that nominate by convention.

Also the independent candidate petition requirement in New Mexico, 2% of the last gubernatorial vote (except for president) is far too high. New Mexico has never had an independent candidate for U.S. Senate or Governor on its ballot.