Five Parties Participate in Debate for “President of Europe”

Posted on by May 16, 2014
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On May 15, a 5-party debate was held in Brussels, Belgium, for candidates who seek the Presidency of the European Commission. See this BBC story.

European Parliamentary elections are being held May 22-25. Voters in the European countries that are part of the European Commission do not actually vote for President of the Commission. Instead, the European Council nominates candidates for President, and then the Parliament chooses the president. However, the most important coalitions of political parties have already chosen their preferred presidential designate, and these are the five individuals who participated in the debate. The debate lasted 90 minutes and was broadcast in 24 languages. The coalition of conservative political parties did not choose a preferred presidential candidate, so it had no voice in the debate. Thanks to Thomas Jones for the link.

South Dakota Poll for Governor and U.S. Senator Shows Strong Support for Independent Candidates

Posted on by May 16, 2014
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On May 16, SurveyUSA released this South Dakota poll, which has both the Governor’s race and the U.S. Senate race.

For Governor, the results are: Republican Dennis Daugaard 57%, Democrat Joe Lowe 21%, independent Michael Myers 11%, undecided 10%. See question 14. There are alternate gubernatorial results because it is not certain whom the Republican nominee will be.

For U.S. Senate, the results are: Republican Mike Rounds 44%, Democrat Rick Weiland 30%, independent Larry Pressler 17%, independent Gordon Howie 3%, independent Clayton Walker 2%, undecided 5%.

Although both the Constitution Party and the Libertarian Party are on the ballot, neither one of them was able to have a nominee for either Governor or U.S. Senator, because it is so difficult for a member of a small qualified party to get on that party’s primary ballot. Both offices require 250 signatures of party members. The two parties will have nominees for some other statewide offices. Thanks to PoliticalWire for the link.

Rio Grande Foundation Recommends Easier Ballot Access for Minor Parties and Independent Candidates

Posted on by May 15, 2014
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The Rio Grande Institute is a non-partisan New Mexico organizations that studies ideas for improving government and society. On May 4, the Institute recommended easing ballot access for minor party and independent candidates. See here.

New Mexico will probably be one of only three or four states this year with no minor party or independent candidates on the ballot in November for statewide office. Others will be Alabama, and probably California. Washington state is the only state with no statewide races in 2014.

The biggest problem with New Mexico ballot access is the state’s unique law that says a qualified minor party must submit large petitions for each of its nominees. No other state requires the nominees of qualified political parties to submit signatures. Sometimes candidates must submit petitions to get on a primary ballot, but candidates seeking a party nomination are not party nominees.

Congressman John Conyers Becomes a Co-Plaintiff in Case Challenging Michigan Circulator Requirement

Posted on by May 15, 2014
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On May 15, Congressman John Conyers was added as a co-plaintiff to one of the two cases that challenges the Michigan law that requires petitioners for candidates to be registered voters. Because some other co-plaintiffs were also added, the case formerly known as Willis-Pittman is now named Moore v Johnson, e.d., 2:14cv-11903. Thanks to Thomas Jones for this news.