Oklahoma Bill, Easing Presidential Ballot Access, Passes Senate

Posted on by March 9, 2017
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On March 8, the Oklahoma Senate passed SB 145 by 41-2. The only two “no” votes were Democratic Senators Kay Floyd of Oklahoma City and Kevin Matthews of Tulsa. The bill lets independent presidential candidates, and the presidential nominees of unqualified parties, on the ballot without a petition, if they pay a filing fee of $17,500. Alternatively they can get on with a petition of 3% of the last gubernatorial vote.

Current law requires a petition of 3% of the last presidential vote, which would be 43,590 signatures in 2020. No one can know how many votes will be cast for Governor in 2018, but one can guess that 3% of the 2018 gubernatorial vote will be between 25,000 and 30,000.

The bill now goes to the House. In recent years, the House has been significantly more friendly to ballot access reform than the Senate has been. That this bill is now through the Senate makes it likely it will become law. Assuming it does become law, every state with have some method to get on the general election ballot for President that is at 2% of the last vote cast, or easier.

Independent Candidate Leads in Polls for President of France; Election is April 23

Posted on by March 9, 2017
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Emmanuel Macron, an independent candidate for President of France, is leading in at least one public opinion poll, according to this story. The election is April 23. If no one gets 50%, there is a run-off two weeks later. In second place is Marine LePen of the National Front, a party that has shown considerable strength during the past decade, but which has never elected the President of France.

The nominees of the two major parties are trailing.

Federal Election Commission Won’t Appeal the U.S. District Court Debates Decision

Posted on by March 9, 2017
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On March 8, the Federal Election Commission issued this press release, saying the FEC won’t appeal the February 1 decision of a U.S. District Court in Level the Playing Field v FEC. That is the decision that ordered the FEC to closely examine whether the Commission on Presidential Debates is breaking federal campaign finance law. Thanks to Shawn Griffiths for the link.

Special U.S. House Election, South Carolina

Posted on by March 8, 2017
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On February 16, South Carolina U.S. House member Mick Mulvaney resigned to become Director of the Office of Management & Budget. South Carolina will hold a special election in his 5th district to replace him on June 20.

The Republican Party will hold a primary to choose its nominee on May 2. If no one gets 50%, there will be a run-off primary on May 16. Candidates who want a party nomination (whether the party nominates by primary or convention) file by noon on March 13. So far four Republicans, but no Democrats, have filed. Independent candidates need 10,000 signatures by April 21.

The only minor party candidate who has filed so far is Josh Putnam of the American Party. See this story about him. Thanks to Jack Dean for the link.