Tennessee Libertarians Try Something New to Publicize Absurdity of Ballot Access Law

Posted on by April 9, 2018
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Tennessee requires 33,844 signatures for a newly-qualifying party to get on the ballot, but only 25 signatures for anyone to run as an independent for any partisan office (except presidential independents need 275).

After years of trying and failing to persuade the legislature to lower the party petition, Tennessee Libertarians have decided to qualify 22 separate independent candidates for Governor this year, to publicize the absurdity of the law that is so harsh on minor parties and so easy for independent candidates. See this story.

No group has successfully completed the Tennessee petition for party status since 1968. Even Americans Elect tried and failed to qualify, in 2011.

South Carolina Primary Voters Who Choose a Republican Primary Ballot Can Weigh in on Whether South Carolina Should Have Partisan Registration

Posted on by April 9, 2018
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South Carolina voter registration forms do not ask voters about party membership, and any voter is free to choose any party’s primary ballot. In the June 2018 primary, voters who choose a Republican primary ballot will be asked to vote on whether the state should ask about party membership on voter registration forms. South Carolina lets parties put advisory questions on their own primary ballots. See this story.

Maryland Legislature Unlikely to Pass Bill Requiring Presidential Candidates to Reveal Income Tax Returns

Posted on by April 9, 2018
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The Maryland legislature adjourns on April 9, late at night. SB 256, the bill to require presidential candidates to reveal their income tax returns, is almost certain not to pass. Although it passed the Senate on March 5, and although it had a hearing in the House committee on March 20, it has made no further progress.