As previously reported here, yesterday the Indiana Senate defeated SB 571, the bill to ease the petitioning requirement for independent candidates and the nominees of unqualified parties. One Democratic State Senator, according to the article, said the voters would be confused if there were more candidates on the ballot. Yet ever since 2002, there have been three candidates for all statewide offices in Indiana, or fewer, on general election ballots. Here is the article.
The Democratic Party will hold its first presidential debate sometime in June 2019. The city and exact date haven’t been chosen. Candidates qualify by either being at 1% in three national polls, or receiving donations from 65,000 people, with the further requirement of 200 donors in each of 20 states.
In case more than 20 candidates meet these requirements, then an adjustment will be made to limit the debate to 20 candidates. That is such a large number of candidates, the first debate will be a two-day affair. Thanks to Political Wire for this news.
On February 14, the Indiana Senate defeated SB 571, which would have substantially eased ballot access for independent candidates and the nominees of unqualified parties. The vote was 16-31, with three Senators not voting.
The Republican Senators voted against the bill 13-25. The Democratic Senators voted against it 3-6.
On February 11, Alaska Representative Bryce Edgmon changed his registration from Democratic to independent. Thanks to Steve Goodale for this news.
According to this story, Georgia Representative Ed Rynders, chair of the House Government Affairs Committee, says he will not hold a hearing on HB 191, the bill to ease ballot access barriers. Rynders has been in the legislature since 2002.
