On April 2, St. Charles, Missouri, a city of 66,000, held municipal elections. In ward 9, a Constitution Party member, John Blazek, was one of three candidates. Even though the election was non-partisan, it was known that Blazek was a Constitution Party member, that the incumbent was a Republican, and that the third candidate was a Democrat.

Blazek placed second, ahead of the Democrat. See the returns here. Scroll down to ward 9, St. Charles. Blazek received 31%; the incumbent received 44%. Thanks to Frank Fluckiger for this news.

Howard Schultz has not formally declared his candidacy as an independent presidential candidate, but he is campaigning daily and has already visited 16 or 17 states. See this map from his website.

On April 15 he campaigned in Arizona. See this story.

Colorado Representative Susan Lontine (D-Denver) and Senator Stephen Fenberg (D-Boulder) have introduced HB 19-1278. It amends many election laws. It makes it more difficult for independent candidates, and the nominees of unqualified parties, to get on the ballot (except for President). It raises the U.S. House petition from 800 to 1,500. It raises the State Senate petition from 600 to 1,000. It raises the State House petition from 400 to 1,000. It raises the petition for Governor and U.S. Senator from 1,000 to 10,500, with a congressional district distribution requirement of 1,500 per district. If Colorado gains a House seat after the 2020 census, the requirement would automatically go to 12,000.

The bill has been attacked in print by Angela Myers, Larimer County Clerk & Recorder, for some of its non-related provisions. See this op-ed. Thanks to John Palmer for this news.