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Green Party Probably Holds Balance of Power in British Columbia Legislature

Posted on May 10, 2017 by Richard WingerMay 10, 2017

British Columbia held an election on Tuesday, May 9. The results: Liberal 43, New Democratic 41, Green 3. Previously the Green Party had only one seat. See this story. It is possible one seat will be changed by a recount. In the recount changes the result, then the Liberal Party would have 44, enough for a majority.

This is probably the first time since 1953 that no party won a majority in the British Columbia legislature. The three Green Party victories were all in districts that are not on the mainland. See this story.

Cuban Libertarians Announce the Formation of a Libertarian Party in Cuba

Posted on May 9, 2017 by Richard WingerMay 9, 2017

A Libertarian Party, also named Jose Marti Party, has been organized in Cuba. See this story.

Oklahoma Bill, Generally Doubling Candidate Filing Fees, Passes Legislature

Posted on May 9, 2017 by Richard WingerMay 9, 2017

On May 8, the Oklahoma legislature passed SB 323, which generally doubles filing fees. The worst effect is on presidential independent candidates. The bill doubles that filing fee from $17,500 to $35,000.

California League of Women Voters Sues California Over Failure to Comply with National Motor-Voter Law

Posted on May 9, 2017 by Richard WingerMay 9, 2017

On May 9, the California League of Women Voters and other voting rights organizations sued various California public officials over the state’s apparent failure to comply with the federal motor-voter law. That law requires that states have a combined form that allows individuals to renew their drivers license and also register to vote. Instead, when California sends a notice to an individual telling him or her that the drivers license is about to expire, California puts a separate voter registration form inside the envelope, along with the notice about the drivers license.

The voting rights organizations that filed this lawsuit point out that California has one of the lowest voter registration rates in the nation. The case is League of Women Voters of California v Kelly, n.d., 3:17cv-2665. The plaintiffs say they have been bringing this problem to the attention of California officials for two years now. Here is the Complaint. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link.

California Assembly Passes Bill, Deleting Old State Law that Says State Employees Can be Fired for Being a Member of the Communist Party

Posted on May 9, 2017 by Richard WingerMay 9, 2017

On May 8, the California Assembly passed AB 22, which deletes an old law that says state employees can be fired if they are members of the Communist Party. Thanks to Libertarian Republic for this news. The vote was 41-30. The bill now goes to the State Senate. The author is Assemblymember Rob Banta (D-Oakland).

Even if this bill is signed into law, California will still have another law in the election code that says subversive parties may not be on the ballot.