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.

Florida initiatives need 766,200 valid signatures to obtain a place on the November 2020 ballot. Before the petition starts to circulate, the backers submit a copy of their proposal. Two initiatives for a top-two system have submitted their proposal to the Secretary of State. One applies to congress and one to state and local partisan office. This post has been updated; the original post said the petition was further along than it is. Thanks to Jim Riley for the correction.

The initiative is backed by several wealthy individuals, including attorney Eugene Stearns, and businessmen Carlos de la Cruz and Mike Fernandez. Initiatives need 60% of the popular vote in order to pass. If the measure gets on the ballot in 2020 and gets at least 60% of the vote, it would take effect in 2024. Thanks to Steve Kamp for this news.

The New Jersey Elections Division has posted the registration by party as of February 28, 2019. Since the September 30, 2018 tally, every party except the Republican Party has gained in share of the registration. The share of voters registered independent declined slightly.

The new percentages are: Democratic 37.44%; Republican 21.64%; Libertarian .21%; Constitution .18%; Conservative .18%; Green .14%; Socialist .08%; Natural Law .07%; Reform .022%; independent 40.04%.

Percentages as of September 30, 2018 were: Democratic 37.39%; Republican 21.72%; Libertarian .18%; Constitution .15%; Conservative .15%; Green .12%; Socialist .07%; Natural Law .06%; Reform .018%; independent 40.14%.

The Constitution Party’s new total, 10,968, is the highest state total for that party in any state, except Nevada.