FEC Response to Debates Lawsuit is Due Today

Posted on by August 24, 2015
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On June 22, 2015, Level the Playing Field, Peter Ackerman, the Libertarian Party, and the Green Party, sued the FEC over presidential general election debates. Some response from the FEC is due today. Of course the FEC will probably say that it did consider the Level the Playing Field request for a new rule (on July 16, 2015), and that the FEC voted 4-2 not to consider a new rule. This case will transition from a lawsuit complaining about the FEC’s failure to respond, to a lawsuit complaining that the existing FEC regulations violate federal campaign finance law. Federal campaign finance law forbids corporations from donating to candidates for federal office. The question is whether corporate donations to the Commission on Presidential Debate effectively mean they are donating to the Democratic and Republican Party presidential campaigns.

Over Half of Virginia Legislative Races in November 2015 Have Only One Candidate on Ballot

Posted on by August 25, 2015
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Virginia elects state legislators in November of odd years. This year over half of the races have only one candidate on the ballot. For the 100 House races, only one person is on the ballot in 62 districts. For the State Senate, only one person is on the ballot in 20 of the 40 races. Thanks to Sandy Sanders for this information. Sanders is working to find a sponsor for a bill in next year’s session to ease the definition of “political party.” Current law says it is a group that polled 10% for any statewide race at either of the last two elections. Virginia’s 10% is higher than any other state, except Alabama is 20% and New Jersey and Oklahoma are also 10%. Also Georgia has a 1% vote test for statewide office but 20% for party status for the district offices.