On September 11, the two candidates for California Secretary of State spoke at a forum sponsored by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC). The forum lasted one hour and nine minutes and can be viewed at this link. Pete Peterson, the Republican, says at the one hour and four minute mark that he favors restoring write-in space to the general election ballot, which the legislature removed in 2012. The other candidate, State Senator Alex Padilla, apparently does not favor making any changes to the top-two system, according to his remarks at the one hour and five minute mark.

California and Louisiana are the only states that ever had write-in space on government-printed general election ballots and then removed it. Senator Padilla says he is in favor of greater participation and voting rights.

On September 23, the California Secretary of State posted new registration data. Compared with the last tally, the May 19 tally, Democrats, Libertarians, Peace & Freedom, and Americans Elect gained as a percentage of the total; Republicans, American Independents, and Greens declined.

The May 2014 percentages were: Democratic 43.41%; Republican 28.42%; American Independent 2.6854%; Libertarian .66%; Green .619%; Peace & Freedom .4421%; Americans Elect .021%; independents and members of unqualified parties 23.75%.

The new tally is: Democratic 43.43%; Republican 28.23%; American Independent 2.6851%; Libertarian .67%; Green .618%; Peace & Freedom .4422%; Americans Elect .022%; independents and members of unqualified parties 23.91%. See the full report here.

Bob Healey, the Moderate Party’s gubernatorial nominee in Rhode Island this year, keeps an on-line campaign journal at votehealey.wordpress.com. Healey is a seasoned attorney with much experience running for state office outside the two major parties in Rhode Island, and his journal is a good read for any others on the same mission. Here is a link.