Evan Falchuk, the founder of the United Independent Party of Massachusetts, has switched his registration to the Democratic Party. His party became ballot-qualified in November 2014 when he polled over 3% for Governor as his party’s nominee. But it went off the ballot in November 2016 because it failed to run anyone for president, and because it was unable to get its registration up to 1% of the state total. President was the only statewide office up in 2016. The party had only two nominees for partisan office in 2016, both for the state house.

Currently, Massachusetts has three qualified parties: Democratic, Libertarian, and Republican. The Green Party will probably regain its status in November 2018, which it can do by running for one of the six statewide races and receiving at least 3% for one of them.

On February 10, the New Mexico House Local Government, Elections, Land Grants & Cultural Affairs Committee passed HB 206 and HB 226 without opposition. HB 206 says that parties with primaries must allow independent voters to vote in those primaries. HB 226 eases the number of signatures for independent candidates, and the nominees of qualified parties that nominate by convention (such as the Green Party, and Better for America).

The bills now go to the Judiciary Committee. HB 206 is undergoing a slight amendment. The bill as introduced just lets independent voters choose a major party primary ballot, but the amendment will extend that to people who are registered in unqualified parties.

Georgia will hold a special election on April 18 to fill the vacant 6th district seat. The seat is vacant because Congressman Tom Price resigned to join the cabinet. In Georgia special elections, any candidate can get on the ballot with a filing fee; there is no petition. Party labels are printed on the ballot, but no party has nominees. If no one gets 50% there is a run-off.

Although Georgia has not had any minor party candidates on the ballot for U.S. House in regular elections since 1942, it frequently has minor party candidates for U.S. House in special elections.

There will be special elections for U.S. House during April, three weeks in a row. California has one April 4; Kansas April 11; and Georgia April 18.