This Washington Post story says the Republican National Committee is struggling with the decision of which Republicans can be invited into the party’s first presidential debate. That debate will be August 6. There are at least 15 Republicans who are at 1% or better in polls. Thanks to Political Wire for the link.
On May 11, the Nevada Senate passed SB 421. It switches Nevada from a caucus state to a presidential primary state. The primary would be in late February, and the bill moves the primary for all other office to February as well. If the bill becomes law, Nevada would have the nation’s earliest primaries for Congress. Thanks to Josh Putnam for this news.
On May 12, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin signed HB 2181, the bill that lowers the number of signatures for newly-qualifying parties. She signed it only one day after it was presented to her. Thanks to Richard Prawdzienski for this news.
Conservatives in New Hampshire are making plans to hold a caucus on October 17, to which all registered New Hampshire Republicans and independents are invited. The specific location in New Hampshire will be chosen by the end of May. The hosts will have a list of the New Hampshire voter registered voters. The caucus will then allow all attendees to choose their favorite Republican presidential candidate. The voting will be in multiple stages, using the principles of ranked-choice voting. After the first ballot, the two presidential candidates who poll the fewest votes will be dropped. Successive voting rounds will continue to eliminate candidates.
The group hopes to use this event to give the winning candidate a chance to then present himself or herself as the choice of conservatives, in preparation for the January 2016 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary. The organizers realize the winner of their caucus might not be a conservative, but they are willing to run the risk. This project uses the name “The 603 Alliance.” The basis for the name is that New Hampshire’s area code is 603.
A Kansas legislative conference committee has come to an agreement on HB 2104, so the bill is likely to pass. It abolishes the presidential primary, and makes it more difficult for candidates to withdraw.
