The Oregon Independent Party (which is ballot-qualified) and the Minnesota Independence Party (which is not ballot-qualified) announced on May 10 that they will seek to organize all the nation’s centrist minor parties and possibly nominate a presidential candidate. They are planning a national meeting but have not yet decided whether it will be before, during, or after the major party presidential conventions.

Other centrist parties on the ballot include the Independent Party of Delaware, the Independent Party of Florida, the Independence Party of Florida, the Independent Party of Hawaii, the United Independent Party of Massachusetts, the Natural Law Party of Michigan, the Independence Party of New York, the Moderate Party of Rhode Island, the American Party of South Carolina, and the Independence Party of South Carolina. Also, the Reform Party is on the ballot in Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The Oregon Independent Party and the Minnesota Independence Party has not said publicly which parties they are in touch with, but chances are the parties named above are on their list.

On May 9, the Colorado House passed HB 1454, which sets up a presidential primary in future years. This year the major parties in Colorado used caucuses. The bill provides that independent voters may request one of the major party primary ballots. The legislature only has two more days, so it is tough to predict if the bill will pass the Senate.

James Ogle is sponsoring a U.S. Senate California debate on May 15 in Monterey. So far, 16 of the 34 candidates who are on the June 7, 2016 ballot have said they will attend.

Seven Democrats are running and these three say they will attend: Herbert Peters, Emory Rodgers, and Steve Stokes.

Twelve Republicans are running and these six say they will attend: Greg Conlon, Von Hougo, Jerry Laws, Karen Roseberry, Phil Wyman, and George Yang.

Two Libertarians are running and both say they will attend: Gail Lightfoot and Mark Matthew Herd.

Pamela Elizondo, the only Green, says she will attend.

Don Grundmann of the Constitution Party will attend.

These independent candidates say they will attend: Tim Gildersleeve, Clive Grey, and Paul Merritt.

The debate starts at 2 p.m. and is at 777 Pearl Street, Monterey.