Kenneth Jackson, Independent Candidate in Canadian Election, Proposes “Engaged Democracy”

Kenneth Jackson, an independent candidate for House of Commons in the Canadian election next month, says that if he is elected, he will vote for bills on the basis of how his constituents wish. Voters who live in his district will have the ability to express their policy opinions via the internet. Furthermore, he proposes a new system of representative government, in which all members of Parliament would also vote on the basis of public opinion.

Here is his website, which explains the concept. Elections would no longer be based on geographical constituencies and there would be no political parties. Each candidate would suggest his or her own list of issues. Members of Parliament would no longer travel to the national capital to do their work.

New Hampshire Libertarian Party Appeals Ballot Access Case

On September 14, the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire filed a notice of appeal in its ballot access case. In the First Circuit, the case (Libertarian Party of New Hampshire v Gardiner) is case no. 15-2068. The issue is the 2014 law that made it illegal for a group to circulate the party petition during an odd year.

The other federal election law case in New Hampshire, concerning the state law that makes it illegal to photograph one’s own voted ballot and then show the picture to anyone else, will also be in the First Circuit. That law had been struck down on August 11, 2015, and the state filed its notice of appal on September 2. That case is Rideout v Gardiner, now no. 15-2021.

Poll Shows Green Party U.S. House Candidate at 13%

On September 21, Harper Polling released a poll for U.S. House, New York 21st district. The results: Republican incumbent Elise Stefanik 51%; Democrat Mike Derrick 17%; Green Party nominee Matt Funiciello 13%; undecided 19%.

Funiciello ran a strong campaign for the same seat in 2012, and got 11.0% even though the race was very close between the Democratic and Republican nominees. The 21st district is the northern most part of New York state. Thanks to Green Party Watch for the link.

Former Utah Lieutenant Governor Chosen to Mediate Republican-Constitution Party Lawsuit on Primary Procedures

All sides in the lawsuit Utah Republican Party v Herbert have agreed that Greg Bell should be the mediator, to try to settle the lawsuit. One issue in the lawsuit is whether the state can force the Republican and Constitution Parties to let people onto their primary ballots even if those candidates have not shown any support at a party endorsements convention. The other issue is whether the state can force those two parties to let independent voters vote in their primaries.

It is unusual for a political party freedom of association lawsuit to go to arbitration. See this story.