See this summary of a new British government briefing paper. The idea of establishing a legislative body just for England seems to be gaining strength. So does the idea of such a body for Wales. Scotland already has its own legislative body, as does Northern Ireland. Thanks to Thomas Jones for the link.
The Libertarian Party is now on the ballot for president in 2016 in thirty states. By contrast, in mid-November 2010, it was on in twenty-seven states.
The Green Party is now on the ballot for president in 2016 in nineteen states. By contrast, four years ago it was on in fourteen states. For purposes of this sentence, the District of Columbia is treated as a state.
The Constitution Party is now on the ballot for president in 2016 in thirteen states. Four years ago it was on in twelve states.
The Arizona Green Party submitted 30,000 signatures on November 14, so in all likelihood it will soon be on in Arizona. It has almost finished its Maryland petition drive and expects to submit those signatures in December, so it will probably soon be on in 21 states, the most it has ever had following a midterm election.
Relative to four years ago, the Libertarian Party has gained Maryland, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, and lost Ohio.
Relative to four years ago, the Green Party has gained Delaware, Hawaii, New Mexico, Oregon, and Wisconsin.
Relative to four years ago, the Constitution Party has gained New Mexico and Wyoming, and lost Ohio.
On November 17, the Michigan House Elections and Ethics Committee heard two hours of testimony about a bill that would award some electoral votes to whomever places second in the popular vote in the state. See this story. There will be another hearing on December 2 on the same subject.
According to this story, the Liberal Democratic Party of Great Britain has received a bequest of 950,000 pounds, which is the equivalent of approximately $1,500,000 U.S. dollars. The donor died in 2013 and the bequest has only recently become known publicly.
If anyone left a bequest to an FEC-recognized political party in the United States, the McCain-Feingold law would require that the party could not receive the money all at once. Instead it would remain in the bank, and only about $32,000 could be placed in the party’s hands in any one calendar year.
The Post Bulletin, daily newspaper for Rochester, Minnesota, has this article, in which the reporter asked leaders of the Independence Party about their thoughts on the party’s future. The party lost its status as a qualified party at the November 2014 election, although it is still entitled to public funding. Minnesota requires a 5% vote for a party to remain ballot-qualified, but only 1% for it to remain entitled to public funding.
No party leader quoted in this article mentioned the idea of asking the legislature to ease the definition of “party” for ballot access purposes. The median vote test of the 50 states is 2%.
The Independence Party gained qualified status in November 1994. In early 1996 it changed its name to the Reform Party, but in 2000 it changed it back to the Independence Party.
