North Dakota Libertarian Statewide Candidates Poll Enough Primary Votes to Qualify for November Ballot

Posted on by June 10, 2020
4

On June 9, North Dakota held open primaries for the Republican, Democratic, and Libertarian Parties. North Dakota is the only state which requires primary candidates to poll a specified minimum number of votes in the primary in order to be on the November ballot. Statewide candidates need 300 votes. The Libertarians running for statewide office all received enough votes. The ticket of DuWayne Hendrickson & Joshua Voytek, running as a team for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, received 665 votes in preliminary election returns. For U.S. House, Steven James Peterson received 686.

The vote minimum requirements for legislature are far more severe, and usually require over 100 votes inside that legislative district. For this reason, no minor party candidate for legislature has appeared on the November ballot since 1976, when the American Party managed to meet the vote requirement for a few legislative candidates.

Republicans Appear to Intend to Hold Part of National Convention in Charlotte and Part in Jacksonville

Posted on by June 10, 2020
1

This story says the Republican National Committee will formally announce on June 11 that it will hold part of its national convention in Jacksonville, Florida. But the story also says, near the bottom, that “some party business” will be conducted first in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The essence of a presidential convention is the roll-call vote for president and vice-president. Perhaps the June 11 formal announcement will clarify where that roll-call vote will be held. Thanks to Political Wire for this news.

Arizona Libertarian Party Files Reply Brief in U.S. Supreme Court in Ballot Access Case

Posted on by June 10, 2020
1

On June 9, the Arizona Libertarian Party filed this reply brief in the U.S. Supreme Court, in its ballot access case. The Court will consider whether to hear this case on its June 11 conference, but the results won’t be known until June 15 at the earliest.

The Court hasn’t taken a ballot access case filed by a minor party or independent candidate since 1991. Also, the Court has never heard a case over whether it is too difficult for a candidate to get on a primary ballot. This case involves access to the primary ballot.

Washington State Relaxes Rules for the Presidential Petition

Posted on by June 9, 2020
1

Washington state requires 1,000 signatures for independent presidential candidates, and the presidential nominees of unqualified parties. All signatures normally must be gathered in “meetings”, which are really petitions circulated (generally outdoors) at a particular location. The location must be announced in a newspaper notice at least ten days before the meeting. Presidential petitioning can take place in multiple locations.

On June 9, because of the health crisis, the Secretary of State issued an emergency regulation, deleting the requirement that the petition-signing must occur at such “meetings”. However, the newspaper notice must still be run, telling interested voters how they can sign the petition. Here is the Emergency Rule, which is only in effect this year. Thanks to Rambudo for the link.

South Carolina Republican Voters Support Adding Question About Party Affiliation on Voter Registration Form

Posted on by June 9, 2020
2

On June 9, South Carolina held non-presidential primaries for the Republican and Democratic Parties. The Republican ballot had two advisory questions. Question one asked if the state should change the voter registration form to ask the applicant which party, if any, he or she wants to join. That measure is passing with 86.6% of the vote.

If South Carolina registration forms asked about party affiliation, that would then make it possible for the state to have closed or semi-closed primaries. Currently South Carolina has open primaries, which means that any voter is free to choose any party’s primary ballot.

The Republican ballot also asked if the law should be changed to eliminate fusion. That is passing with 80.3% of the vote.