Rocky De La Fuente’s Washington State Ballot Access Case Begins to Move

Posted on by October 5, 2017
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Washington state does not permit independent or minor party presidential candidates to begin petitioning until the candidate or group publishes a newspaper notice. In 2016, Rocky De La Fuente failed to get on the ballot in Washington, despite filing over 1,000 valid signatures, because he had not published the required newspaper notice. He had posted the required information on the internet.

Last year, he filed a constitutional case against the newspaper publication requirement. The case has moved slowly, but the briefing schedule is now set. All the briefs will have been filed by November 10, 2017. The case is De La Fuente v Wyman, w.d., 3:16v-5801.

Independent Voter Project Files Amicus in Favor of More Inclusive Presidential Debates

Posted on by October 5, 2017
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On October 4, the Independent Voters Project filed this amicus curiae brief in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. Among the signers are former U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman, former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey, and former New Jersey Governor Christy Todd Whitman. The amicus is on the side of the plaintiffs, Level the Playing Field and the Libertarian and Green Parties.

The amicus could only be filed after the judge approved its filing. The FEC refused to give permission for this amicus to be filed, so the judge was forced to settle whether it could be filed. The attorneys who wrote and filed the amicus are Chad Peace and Breton Peace of San Diego.

North Carolina Ballot Access Bill Passes Through Conference Committee

Posted on by October 4, 2017
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On October 4, the North Carolina legislature’s conference committee passed this version of SB 656, the ballot access bill. It had previously passed both chambers, but the two versions did not agree with each other. This new version is more like the House version than the Senate version. It needs to pass both chambers again. It is on the Senate calendar for Thursday, October 5. The Senate convenes at 9:30 a.m. Thanks to Brian Irving for the link.