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New Iowa Registration Data

Posted on February 5, 2021 by Richard WingerFebruary 5, 2021

The Iowa Secretary of State has posted some data for voter registration as of February 1, 2021. However, the website only shows the Democratic and Republican Parties, even though the Libertarian and Green Parties also have the ability to obtain and keep registered voters. The active totals for all four parties are: Republican 724,939; Democratic 698,870; Libertarian 14,349; Green 3,787; independent and other 681,917.

The percentages are: Republican 34.13%; Democratic 32.90%; Libertarian .68%; Green .18%; independent and other 32.10%.

Percentages in October 2020 were: Republican 34.21%; Democratic 33.57%; Libertarian .63%; Green .16%; independent and other 31.43%.

Virginia Legislative Candidates Sue for Easier Ballot Access in 2021

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Richard WingerFebruary 4, 2021

On February 4, some Democrats running for the Virginia legislature this year filed a lawsuit in state court to obtain a smaller petition requirement for 2021, due to the health crisis. See this story. A similar lawsuit was already victorious on behalf of 2021 statewide offices.

Arkansas Bill that Increases Petition for President Passes Committee

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Richard WingerFebruary 4, 2021

On February 3, the Arkansas House State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee passed HB 1338. It increases the number of signatures for minor party presidential status, and for independent presidential candidates, from 1,000 signatures to 5,000 signatures. The vote was unanimous.

The Arkansas Green, Constitution, and American Solidarity Parties are thinking about rushing to complete the presidential minor party petition soon, before the bill takes effect.

Montana Bill that Would Have Injured Ballot Access Loses in Committee

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Richard WingerFebruary 4, 2021

On February 4, the Montana House Administration Committee tabled HB 248. It would have moved the primary for all office from June to March. That would have caused the petition deadline for new parties to move from March of election years to December of the year before the election, It would also have moved the non-presidential independent candidate petition deadline from late May to late February.

The bill was sponsored by Representative Kelly Kortum (D-Bozeman). There is no state Democratic Party that is more hostile to ballot access than the Montana Democratic Party. Both in 2020 and 2018, Montana Democrats took extraordinary measures to keep the Green Party off the ballot.

New Alaska Registration Data

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Richard WingerFebruary 4, 2021

The Alaska Elections Division has posted registration data as of February 3, 2021. See it here. The percentages are: Republican 24.76%; Democratic 13.56%; Alaskan Independence 3.20%; Libertarian 1.16%; Green .25%; Veterans .22%; Constitution .11%; independent and other 56.74%.

On October 3, 2020, the percentages were: Republican 24.36%; Democratic 13.46%; Alaskan Independence 3.10%; Libertarian 1.17%; Green .26%; Veterans .22%; Constitution .10%; independent and other 57.32%.