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New California Registration Data

Posted on March 11, 2019 by Richard WingerMarch 11, 2019

On March 11, the California Secretary of State released the registration tally for February 20, 2019. This is the last tally in California until October 2019.

Percentages are: Democratic 43.11%; Republican 23.57%; American Independent 2.59%; Libertarian .77%; Green .44%; Peace & Freedom .384%; unknown .34%; unqualified parties .53%; independent 28.26%.

The last tally, for October 22, 2018, had these percentages: Democratic 43.45%; Republican 24.04%; American Independent 2.58%; Libertarian .76%; Green .45%; Peace & Freedom .380%; unknown .27%; unqualified parties .55%; independent 27.52%.

The Constitution Party, an unqualified party, declined from 290 registrants in October 2018, to 276 in February 2019.

Democratic Party Chooses Milwaukee for its National Convention

Posted on March 11, 2019 by Richard WingerMarch 11, 2019

On March 11, the Democratic National Committee announced that the party’s 2020 national convention will be in Milwaukee. The dates, July 13-16, had already been chosen.

New Mexico Bill for National Popular Vote Advances

Posted on March 10, 2019 by Richard WingerMarch 10, 2019

On Sunday, March 10, the New Mexico Senate Rules Committee passed HB 55, the National Popular Vote Plan bill. Now it goes to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Thanks to Rick Lass for this news.

Bill Setting Utah Presidential Primary in Early March Advances

Posted on March 10, 2019 by Richard WingerMarch 10, 2019

Utah currently has provision in its election code for a presidential primary, but the law doesn’t set the date. On March 8, the Senate Government Operations Committee passed SB 242, which sets it in the first week of March. Thanks to FrontloadingHQ for this news.

Iowa Bill to Severely Restrict Ballot Access for Independent Candidates and Unqualified and New Parties

Posted on March 9, 2019 by Richard WingerMarch 9, 2019

Iowa Senate Study Bill 1241 has been introduced. Among many other provisions, it would severely harm ballot access for independent candidates and the nominees of new and previously unqualified political parties. It raises the number of signatures for President, U.S. Senate, and Governor from 1,500 signatures to 4,000 signatures. It raises the number for other statewide offices from 1,500 to 2,500 signatures. It raises U.S. House from 375 to 2,000. It raises State Senate from 100 to 200, and State House from 50 to 100.

For the statewide petitions, it imposes a severe county distribution requirement. President, U.S. Senate, and gubernatorial petitions would need 200 signatures from each of ten counties; other statewide offices would need 125 from each of ten counties.

The petition deadline would change from mid-August to 81 days before the June primary. In 2020, that would mean a deadline of March 13.

Iowa now has a provision for a convention with 250 attendees, as another method for unqualified parties to appear on the ballot. The bill raises the number of attendees to 500.

The deadline would be unconstitutional under Anderson v Celebrezze, and the county distribution requirement would be unconstitutional under Moore v Ogilvie. Thanks to Nathan Hetzel for this news.