New York Fusion is Threatened Again

The New York legislature recently enacted a bill setting up a Commission to study public funding for statewide state office.  The bill says that the Commission’s plan must be released by December 1.  Then, if the legislature does nothing by December 23, the plan has the force of law.  The identical bills, S1509c and A2009c, were signed on April 12.

The Commission has also been empowered to eliminate fusion, if it chooses to.  So if the commission recommends abolishing fusion, and the legislature does not take action against the Commission’s ideas, then fusion will be abolished.  See this story.

Colorado Bill Making Ballot Access More Difficult Passes House

On April 23, the Colorado House passed HB 19-1278.  Among other things, it increases the number of signatures for independent candidates, and the nominees of unqualified parties (but it does not change the presidential ballot access requirement).  It raises the non-presidential statewide petition from 1,000 signatures to 10,500 signatures, and imposes a severe congressional district distribution requirement.  Now the bill goes to the Senate.