New Hampshire Representative Max Abramson (R-Seabrook) has introduced a bill to lower the number of signatures for independent candidates and the nominees of unqualified parties. Current law requires 3,000 signatures for statewide office. The bill would convert petitions for all office to one-tenth of 1% of the population. For statewide candidates, the requirement during this decade would be 1,317 signatures. The bill will be given a bill number in the next few days.
Iowa Representative Peter Cownie (R-West Des Moines) has introduced HF 4, which would abolish the straight-ticket device.
Hawaii State Senator Sam Slom (R-Honolulu) has introduced SB 942. It would amend the State Constitution to provide for an elected Attorney General. Currently, the only state executive officer elected by Hawaii voters is the ticket of Governor and Lieutenant Governor.
California will hold special elections for three State Senate seats on March 17. Filing has now closed. Very few candidates filed. In two of the three races, only members of one party are running.
In the 37th district in Orange County, the only candidates are three Republicans: John Moorlach, Naz Namazi, and Donald Wagner.
In the 21st district in Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties, only one candidate filed, Republican Sharon Runner.
In the 7th district in Contra Costa County, four Democrats and one Republican filed. The four Democrats are Susan Bonilla, Joan Buchanan, Steve Glazer, and Terry Kremin. The Republican is Michaela Hertle.
Eight Pennsylvania State Senators have introduced SB 92, which would amend the State Constitution to allow statewide initiatives. The measure has four Democratic and four Republican sponsors. The Democrats are Lisa Boscola, Judith Schwank, Rob Teplitz, and John Wozniak. The Republicans are Patrick Browne, Mike Folmer, John Rafferty, and Scott Wagner.
The measure would require the signatures of 5% of the last gubernatorial vote, and that standard would be needed in 45 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. That aspect of the bill violates the U.S. Supreme Court 1969 decision Moore v Ogilvie. Statewide petitions cannot have county distribution requirements.
