On January 9, HB 1012 was introduced in the South Dakota legislature to alter the definition of “political party”. Current law says a party must poll 2.5% of the vote for any statewide race in the last election, in order to remain on the ballot. The bill would change that so when the vote test is met, the party remains on the ballot for the next two elections. If this bill passes, it will be easier for a party to remain on the ballot.
On January 12, the two largest parties in Germany reached a tentative agreement to maintain their coalition government, weeks after the last election. See this story.
Sandra Jeff, who was a Democratic member of the New Mexico State House 2008-2014, has changed her registration to Libertarian. She plans to seek the Libertarian Party nomination for Secretary of State. The Libertarian Party has its own primary in 2018 in New Mexico, for the first time. See this story.
As already noted, on January 10, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Husted v Ohio A. Philip Randolph Institute, 16-980, the case over whether Ohio is complying with federal law relative to purging voters. Dahlia Lithwick, legal correspondent for Slate, here explains this case, from the viewpoint on the side of the Randolph Institute. This is a confusing case, but she makes it easier to understand. Thanks to Howard Bashman for the link.
Eleven registered members of the Maine Green Party now hold elective public office. The newest is Michael Dignan, who was elected to the Oxford Hills School Board last November. Thanks to Michael for this news.
