On October 10, Rob Sarvis was told he will not be included in the only remaining Virginia gubernatorial debate, because even though he has been at 10% in some polls recently, the average of polls for the last period is only 9%. See this story.

In 2010, there were 40 states which held general election debates for Governor, U.S. Senator, and/or Congressman-at-Large, and in 24 of them, at least one minor party or independent candidate was invited into a debate with both the major party nominees. The 24 states were Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Also there was a Texas gubernatorial debate that included the Democratic, Libertarian, and Green nominees, but the Republican did not participate.

Is it ironic that Virginia’s habits for debates are so restrictive compared to other states, given that Virginia was home to Thomas Jefferson. Thanks to Independent Political Report for the link.

Dean and Nicole Greco have completed work on their first full-length film, which is a documentary about U.S. ballot access laws. The first public showing will be at the Flemington, New Jersey, Elks Lodge on Rt. 31, on Sunday, November 3. Flemington is in west central New Jersey. Here is a newspaper story about the event. The name of the film is “Breakficants.”

On October 9, the plaintiffs in Stone v Board of Election Commissioners filed this opening brief in the 7th circuit. The case is a challenge to the petition requirements for citywide candidates in Chicago. The law requires 12,500 valid signatures, to be collected in 90 days during late autumn and winter. No one can sign for more than one candidate.

The brief explains the reality of petitioning in Chicago citywide offices. The powerful Democratic Party machine has its favorite candidates, even though Chicago city elections are non-partisan. The party organization collects hundreds of thousands of signatures for its chosen candidates, shrinking the poll of voters who still haven’t signed for anyone. The brief also argues that 12,500 signatures are not needed, given that candidates for statewide office in a major party primary in Illinois only need 5,000 signatures.

The case is Stone v Board of Election Commissioners, 13-2733.