All bills in the 2015 session of the Utah legislature to undo the changes to party nominations have failed. See this story. Therefore, the 2014 system will continue, at least for a year. The 2014 changes make it possible for a candidate to get on a primary ballot even without showing substantial support at a party caucus or convention. Also, the 2014 changes require all parties to let independents vote in their primaries.
The Law Commission of India has recommended that the election law of India be changed to bar independent candidates. See this story.
Paul Clement and Neal Katyal, both past Solicitors General for the United States government, have written this article on Article II’s provision that a president must be a natural-born citizen. Apparently they were moved to write about this subject because U.S. Senator Ted Cruz is running for President and he was born in Canada. Thanks to Howard Bashman for the link.
Pope Francis I recently said, “Perhaps public financing would allow for me, the citizen, to know that I’m financing each candidate with a given amount of money.” He made other remarks that show he is worried that when campaigns are funded privately, good government is less likely. See this story. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link.
On March 12, four Alabama State Senators introduced a bill to ease ballot access. The bill, SB 221, lowers the number of signatures for independent candidates, and newly-qualifying parties, from 3% of the last gubernatorial vote, to 1.5%. That change affects petitions for Congress and state office. Petitions for partisan county office would continue to be 3%.
The bill also eases the petition deadline for newly-qualifying parties, for Congress and state office, from primary day, to the third Wednesday after the runoff primary. The deadline for petitions for county office, and for independent candidates, would not change.
The lead sponsor is Senator Cam Ward (R-Alabaster). The co-sponsors are Senator Paul Sanford (R-Huntsville), Rusty Glover (R-Semmes), and Tom Whatley (R-Auburn). Thanks to Joshua Cassity for this news.
