USA Today has this op-ed, authored by six 2014 congressional candidates, all of whom are ages 18-29. The op-ed points out that only 18% of that age group believe that electoral activism is worthwhile. The op-ed also points out that Congress has no members under age 30, and not very many under age 40. Among the six authors are two Republicans, two Democrats, one Libertarian, and one independent.
An Electoral Action Conference will be held in Chicago, May 2-3, 2015, for leftists who believe in electoral activity outside the major parties. See this story.
Congressman Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma) has introduced HR 412. It abolishes public funding for presidential campaigns. So far it doesn’t have any co-sponsors. The public funding program has been in place starting in 1976. Minor party and independent presidential candidates who have received primary season matching funds and/or general election funding include John B. Anderson, Sonia Johnson, Lenora Fulani, John Hagelin, Ross Perot, Pat Buchanan, Ralph Nader, Gary Johnson, and Jill Stein. The FEC has always permitted primary season matching funds to be used to pay the expenses of ballot access petitioning. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the news about the bill.
On March 3, Burlington, Vermont, held its election for city office. The Democratic nominee for Mayor was re-elected, defeating the Progressive Party nominee, the Libertarian nominee, and an independent candidate. The new city council has 4 Democrats, 4 Progressives, 3 independents, and one Republican. See this story.
On February 26, the Montana House passed HB 454 by a vote of 53-46. Current law requires qualified parties to choose precinct committee members in a government-administered primary. The bill says parties may continue to do that, but they are also free to appoint such party officers per party rules. Or, they can elect them in primaries they adminster themselves.
Apparently, the purpose of the bill is to moot the lawsuit pending in the Ninth Circuit over the constitutionality of forcing parties to choose party officers in a primary at which any voter is free to participate, whether they are Republicans or members of another party or independents. Thanks to Mike Fellows for this news.
