The New York Times has this story about influential individuals who are trying to persuade Michael Bloomberg to run for President as an independent. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link.
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In June 2015, Justin Trudeau, leader of the Liberal Party and Canada’s new prime minister, promised to support changing Canada’s election system. See this story. It is thought he and the Liberal Party prefer instant runoff voting to proportional representation.
The Liberal Party used instant runoff voting in 2013 when its members voted for party leader, an election Trudeau won.
The results of the October 19 election are: Liberal 184, Conservative 99, New Democratic 44, Bloc Quebecois 10, Green 1.
Just before the old parliament was dissolved earlier this year, the party line up was: Conservative 159, New Democratic 95, Liberal 36, Green 2, Bloc Quebecois and independents 16.
Although most votes haven’t been counted yet, it is projected that the Liberal Party will win today’s Canadian election. See this story. At the last general election, the Liberal Party only won 36 seats out of 308. This stunning comeback shows what happens when ballot access laws are easy and equal, and debate sponsors permit four or five party leaders to participate.
According to this news story, the Republican National Committee will charge reporters $150 to sit in the press box at the Cleveland 2016 national convention. The concept is somewhat similar to the policy of several state Republican Parties this year, who are charging presidential candidates thousands of dollars to appear on presidential primary ballots. The most extreme is South Carolina’s Republican Party, where the fee is $40,000, half of which goes to the party even though the party doesn’t pay to administer the primary. The other half goes to the state.
Democratic presidential candidate Jim Webb will hold a press conference on October 20 to say he is thinking about running for President as an independent. See this story in The Hill. Thanks to Nathan Hetzel for the link.