There are unconfirmed rumors that Congressman Justin Amash has become a dues-paying life member of the Libertarian Party and that he will seek the party’s presidential nomination.  There are also rumors that former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura may seek the Green Party presidential nomination.

The last time that either the Democratic Party or the Republican Party nominated someone for president who had not declared as late as April of the election year was 1952, when the Democratic Party nominated Adlai Stevenson at its July 21-26 convention.  He had not desired to be a presidential candidate, and had said so clearly.  But he gave the welcoming speech at the Democratic Chicago convention, because he was the host Governor, and his speech was received so well, delegates insisted that he run.  He did not want to run against General Dwight Eisenhower, but at the convention he agreed to do so.

On April 23, U.S. District Court Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer put her oral order of April 21 into a formal memorandum and order.  Libertarian Party of Illinois v Pritzker, n.d., 1:20cv-2112.  As reported previously, the Libertarian Party and the Green Party are now on the ballot for President and U.S. Senate, and the Green Party is also on for two U.S. House districts, and some Cook County county board offices.

Libertarian and Green candidates for other partisan offices need a petition that is 10% of the formal requirement, as do independent candidates and the nominees of other unqualified parties.  Here is the 10-page opinion and order.

The petition deadline is extended to August 7.  That date is included in the injunction order. Electronic signatures are partially permitted.

On April 22, proponents of an Arkansas initiative filed a federal lawsuit to obtain a later petition deadline for initiatives in 2020, and a reduction from 89,151 signatures to 53,491 signatures.  The lawsuit also asks that electronic signatures be permitted.

The initiative is for a nonpartisan redistricting commission.  The lawsuit points out that it is essential that the initiative get on the 2020 ballot, because if it is delayed until the 2022 ballot, and it passes, it won’t have any effect until after the 2030 census.  Miller v Thurston, w.d., 5:20cv-5070.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Paul K. Holmes III, an Obama appointee.  Here is the brief.