Colorado Initiative to Require the Democratic and Republican Parties to Let Independents Vote in Primaries Explained

The Durango Herald has this explanation of Colorado’s proposition 108, which would require parties that polled 10% in the last gubernatorial election, and which therefore have primaries, to let independents vote in their primaries. However, the parties would have the option of giving up their primaries in any particular year and nominating by convention, but only if 3/4ths of their state central committees agree to do that.

Under current Colorado law, independents can decide on primary election day that they want to vote in a major party primary, but to do that they are technically joining the major party whose primary ballot they choose. Proponents of the initiative say some voters are conscientiously opposed to taking that step.

Also under current law, in rare cases, the ballot-qualified minor parties (Libertarian, Green, Constitution) have primaries for a few offices. This only happens when those parties hold a nominating convention and two candidates for a particular office both make a strong showing at the convention. It has never happened for a statewide office. Proposition 108 would not change that, and qualified minor parties could still choose not to allow independents in these occasional primaries.

Larry Sanders, Brother of Bernie Sanders, Places Fourth as Green Party Nominee in Special British Election

On October 20, Larry Sanders, elder brother of Bernie Sanders, placed fourth in a British special House of Commons election. Larry Sanders was the Green Party nominee. See this story. It is not surprising that the Conservative Party won this special election, because it is a safe seat for the Conservative Party.

Democratic Party Has More State Legislative Candidates than Republican Party Does, for First Time Since 2008

This year, there are Democratic candidates for state legislature in 4,690 of the races. There are Republican candidates for state legislature in 4,655 races. This is the first time since 2008 that there have been more races with a Democrat running than with a Republican running.

In 41.7% of the legislative races this year, either the Republicans, or the Democrats, failed to run anyone. That isn’t quite as bad as 2014, when the percentage of races without one of the major parties was 43.3%.

U.S. District Court in Virginia Extends Voter Registration Deadline Two Days

On October 20, U.S. District Court Judge Claude Hilton extended the Virginia deadline for registering to vote two more days. The state did not oppose the lawsuit, which had been filed on October 18. The reason is that the on-line voter registration page of the State Board of Elections hasn’t been working this week. It apparently crashed because too many people were trying to use it.

Both sides urged the judge to extend the deadline through Monday, October 24, but he only extended it until the end of the day Friday, October 21. There are fears that the site may crash again. The case is New Virginia Majority Education Fund v Virginia Department of Elections, e.d., 1:16cv-1319. See this story. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link.