The deadline to file for the Alaska primary is June 1. Here is the list of candidates so far. Two Libertarians are opposing each other in the Libertarian primary for U.S. House. It is somewhat unusual for minor parties to have contested primaries for Congress. The two are Jim McDermott and Jon Briggs Watts.
Nominees of unqualified parties, and independent candidates, have until mid-August to submit petitions to be on the November ballot. Thanks to Michael for the link.
The Atlantic has this thorough article about the law concerning presidential public funding for candidates seeking the nomination of a party. Jill Stein and Martin O’Malley are the only presidential candidates who applied for such money this year. The article explains why. Thanks to the Center for Competitive Politics for the link.
France holds a presidential election in April 2017. The law technically does not permit independent candidates for President in France. But a group has organized to create a method for an independent to run. The selection process is open to any candidate who is not a member of a party. Any voter will be free to participate in the group’s selection process, in a manner reminiscent of Americans Elect in the U.S. during 2011 and early 2012.
Afterwards, the group will create a party just for the purpose of placing that individual on the ballot. See this story. Candidates for President of France get on the ballot by obtaining the signatures of 500 mayors. Even the tiniest towns in France have their own Mayor, and many of them on principle will sign for anyone. Generally at least 12 individuals get on the ballot for President of France.
This article, published May 30, says Bill Kristol and other anti-Trump Republicans are still looking for an independent presidential candidate they can support.
At their national convention in Orlando (FL) today, the Libertarian Party nominated former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson for President. Johnson received 49.5% of the vote on the first ballot and received 56% on the second ballot. Vote totals are available here. Johnson was the Libertarian Party candidate for President in 2012.
The convention nominated former Massachusetts Governor William Weld for Vice-President. Weld was the choice of Gary Johnson, and Johnson made a strong plea to choose him. Weld was elected on the second ballot with 50.57%, followed by Larry Sharpe who received 46.9% out of 872 total votes cast.
