On February 6, the Virginia Senate defeated SB 821 by 11-29. It would have put a question about party membership (or independent status) on voter registration forms. It would also have let parties choose to close their primaries. Virginia has always had open primaries, and on primary day, any voter is free to choose any primary ballot.
The bill had passed the Senate Privileges & Elections Committee by 7-6.
On February 8, Tennessee Representative Bud Hulsey (R-Kingsport) introduced HB 662. It lowers the number of signatures for a newly-qualifying party from 2.5% of the last gubernatorial vote (now 33,816 signatures) to exactly 5,000. It also lowers the vote test from 5% for any statewide race at the last election, to 1.5% at any of the last three elections. Here is the text. Thanks to Jim Tomasic for this news.
On February 7, the House Administration Committee passed HR 133 by a vote of 5-3. Here is the text. It abolishes the federal program for public funding of presidential campaigns, both primary season matching funds, and general election funding. The bill is by Representative Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma). The program has been in existence starting in 1976.
On January 27, the Virginia House Privileges & Elections Committee tabled HB 1425 by a voice vote. It had passed a subcommittee a few days earlier. It would have provided that each U.S. House district elect its own presidential elector.
Texas Representative Ron Simmons (R-Carrollton) has introduced HB 433, to eliminate the straight-ticket device. Thanks to Jim Riley for this news.
