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Independent Candidate Places First in Texas Special Legislative Election, but Run-Off Needed

Posted on May 8, 2016 by Richard WingerMay 8, 2016

On Saturday, May 7, Texas held a special election to fill the vacant 120th State House seat. Here are the returns. An independent candidate, Laura Thompson, received more votes than any other candidate, but no one got 50%, so there will be a runoff this summer. Four candidates were on the ballot, Thompson and three Democrats. Texas has not had anyone but a Democrat or a Republican elected to the legislature since 1936, when an independent was elected to the House.

Normally the Texas straight-ticket device makes it very difficult for independents to win, but there is no such device in Texas special elections. Parties don’t have nominees in Texas special elections, which is why there were three Democrats running. Thanks to Michael for this news.

London, England Mayoral Election

Posted on May 7, 2016 by Richard WingerMay 7, 2016

On May 5, voters of London elected a Mayor and a local assembly. Twelve parties entered the Mayoral race. London uses a modified form of instant runoff voting for its mayoral elections. See the wikipedia story about the election. The Labour Party nominee, Sadiq Khan, was elected. He did not have a majority of the first place votes, but the IRV process then counted second place votes and he won. He is the first Muslim to be elected Mayor of a large city in a Christian majority nation in Europe.

In order to receive repayment of the filing fee, a candidate had to poll at least 5% of the first choice votes. The only three parties to recover their filing fee were Labour, Conservative, and Green.

Five Parties Win Seats in Scotland Parliament

Posted on May 7, 2016 by Richard WingerMay 7, 2016

On May 5, Scotland held an election for the Scottish Parliament. Five parties won seats: Scottish National Party 63; Conservative 31; Labour 24; Green 6; Liberal Democrat 5. No party won a majority. See the wikipedia article about the election. Scotland uses a mixed proportional representation system for its own Parliament.

Colorado Bill for a Closed Presidential Primary Introduced, Quickly Passes Senate Committees

Posted on May 7, 2016 by Richard WingerMay 7, 2016

On May 6, a bill to provide for a Colorado presidential primary was introduced in the Senate and that very day passed both committees. It is SB 216. Like the House Bill that has been pending for a while, it provides for a March presidential primary, starting in 2020. Unlike HB 1454, it provides that only party members could vote in their own party’s presidential primary.

The Colorado legislature adjourns Wednesday, May 11.

Minnesota Omnibus Election Law Bill, with Two Ballot Access Improvements, Passes Senate

Posted on May 7, 2016 by Richard WingerMay 7, 2016

On April 26, the Minnesota Senate passed SF 2381. It is the Secretary of State’s omnibus election law bill, and it contains two ballot access improvements: (1) it deletes the wording on independent candidate petitions saying the signer doesn’t expect to vote in the upcoming primary; (2) it reduces the number of signatures needed for independent candidates in special elections.