Senator Rand Paul Will Introduce a Bill to Permit Some Ex-Felons in All States to Vote in Federal Elections

Posted on by June 22, 2014
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According to this Politico article, Senator Rand Paul is about to introduce a bill to permit ex-felons who had been convicted of non-violent crimes to register to vote in all states. However, the bill will only apply to federal elections, because the U.S. Constitution says states can set voting qualifications for state and local elections.

There have been similar bills in many sessions of Congress in the past, but they never pass. This bill might have a better chance than any previous bill, because it has the potential to gain support from Republican members of Congress as well as Democratic members. Thanks to AroundtheCapitol for the link.

Florida Libertarian Party Will Challenge 2011 Law That Restricts Whom a Party May Nominate

Posted on by June 22, 2014
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In 2011, the Florida legislature made it illegal for anyone to seek the nomination of a qualified party if the candidate had been a member of another party in the preceding year. The Florida Libertarian Party has decided to challenge this law.

The basis for this challenge will be the U.S. Supreme Court decision Tashjian v Republican Party of Connecticut. In that 1986 case, the U.S. Supreme Court said that it would violate Freedom of Association for a state government to tell a party that it can’t nominate a non-member. Since then, the Colorado Democratic Party, and the New Mexico Green and Libertarian Parties, have won lawsuits against laws that are similar to the Florida law. Thanks to Bill Wohlsifer for this news.

New Jersey Filing Closes

Posted on by June 21, 2014
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Filing has closed in New Jersey. The U.S. Senate November ballot will have five nominees, those of the Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, Democratic-Republican Parties and an independent candidate who ballot slogan is “Economic Growth.” The Democratic-Republican Party is not allowed to use its name on the ballot, and is listed as the “D-R Party.” Its platform is somewhat similar to the Reform Party’s platform.

For the U.S. House races, there are five districts in which the D-R Party has nominees; two Libertarians; one Green; and 17 independents, with a possibility that a lawsuit will increase that number.

There is also a special election in the First Congressional District, with no Republican nominee. In that race, a Democrat is opposed by a nominee of the D-R Party and two independents. Here is a link to the Election Division’s web page, showing the candidates.