New York State holds presidential primaries in April. Here are the rules for ballot access. The Republicans have one plan, and the Democrats have another plan. Republican candidates need not petition. Democrats need 5,000 signatures. The State Board of Elections says any other qualified party may have a presidential primary, and is free to choose either the Republican plan or the Democratic plan.
The Alaska Democratic Party has asked the State Elections Division to permit registered independents to seek the Democratic Party nomination. The party believes it has a constitutional right to nominate non-members if it wishes. See this story.
Nebraska State Senator John Murante (R-Gretna) has introduced LB 879. It would require independent candidates to collect the signatures of 10% of all registered voters. Statewide independents would need 115,885 valid signatures, based on the 2015 registration total of 1,158,842.
Existing law requires 2,500 signatures for independent presidential candidates, and 4,000 for statewide independent candidates for other office. The bill would be unconstitutional if signed into law. The U.S. Supreme Court has put a ceiling of 5% of the eligible signers on ballot access for candidates and newly-qualifying parties.
It is not known why Senator Murante introduced this bill. In 2014 there were no independent candidates for Governor of Nebraska, and there were two independent candidates for U.S. Senate.
On January 27, the Maine asked a federal court to put it on the ballot. Here is the Emergency Motion for a Preliminary Injunction, and here is the Memorandum in Support of the request.
Missouri Representative Shamed Dogan (R-Ballwin) has introduced HB 1771. It would let two parties jointly nominate the same candidate, if the party rules of both parties permitted fusion. The bill covers already-established parties (which nominate by primary), as well as newly-qualifying parties (which nominate by convention). Dogan is vice-chair of the House Elections Committee. Thanks to Ken Bush for this news.
