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.

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.

Ralph Nader has this interesting analysis in TIME of the ramifications of a possible Mike Bloomberg presidential candidacy.