The Arkansas Libertarian Party has approximately 7,000 signatures on its petition to regain its party status. The state requires 10,000, so the drive is half-done. Thanks to Paul Frankel for this news.
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On April 27, President Donald Trump tweeted opposition to bailing out Puerto Rico from its financial crisis. See this story. The story does not mention that on June 11, Puerto Rico voters will be asked to choose between independence (or virtual independence), or statehood. The option for the status quo is not on the ballot. It is difficult to predict how Trump’s statements might affect the vote.
On Wednesday, April 26, the North Carolina Senate unanimously passed SB 656, by Senator Andrew Brock. It lowers the number of signatures from 2% of the last gubernatorial vote to exactly 10,000. It also lowers the statewide independent petition to 5,000. See this story.
Bills have to pass in their house of origin by April 27, in order to remain alive. Thanks to Kevin Hayes for this news.
April 27 is the deadline for Oklahoma bills that have passed the house of origin to also have passed the other house. Neither of the two bills that improve ballot access will be brought up in the House on April 27. Both bills had passed the Senate and all House committees with almost no opposition, but they can’t pass in 2017. Oklahoma has two-year legislative sessions, so both bills will be alive during 2018.
SB 145 eliminates mandatory petitions for independent presidential candidates and the presidential nominees of unqualified parties. SB 350 makes it easier for a party to remain on the ballot.
On April 26, the California Assembly Elections Committee passed AB 84, which moves the primary for all office to March, in presidential years. A similar bill, SB 568, passed the Senate Elections Committee last week.