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Illinois Libertarians Likely to Survive Challenge to Statewide Petition

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Richard WingerJuly 17, 2014

For the last four days, the Illinois State Board of Elections has been adjudicating the challenge for the statewide Libertarian Party petition, and also the statewide Constitution Party petition. The state requires 25,000 signatures. Libertarians turned in more than 43,000, and with the process two-thirds done, 44% of the challenged 23,000 signatures have been ruled valid. At that rate, the outcome will provide a comfortable margin.

The Constitution Party slate, which turned in approximately 30,600, is less likely to qualify. So far, approximately 50% of its challenged signatures are being upheld, but the number of signatures that were challenged is so large that it will probably be below the requirement.

The challenge process hasn’t started yet for the Green Party statewide slate.

Four Parties Will Have Statewide Nominees on Rhode Island 2014 Ballot

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Richard WingerJuly 17, 2014

The November 2014 election in Rhode Island will include statewide nominees from four political parties. The Moderate Party will have James B. Spooner for Governor, and William Gilbert for Lieutenant Governor. The Libertarian Party will have Tony Jones on the ballot for Lieutenant Governor. Rhode Island voters elect Lieutenant Governor separately from Governor.

The Moderate Party is ballot-qualified, and also has one legislative nominee this year. However, it will go off the ballot unless it polls 5% for Governor. The party’s founder, Ken Block, is seeking the Republican nomination for Governor. Primaries are September 9.

This is the first time the Rhode Island Libertarian Party has had a statewide nominee on the ballot in a midterm year.

There are several independents running for Governor. Independent Ernest Almonte is running for Treasurer, and is considered to have a chance to win.

Florida Court Hearing on Whether New U.S. House District Boundaries Should be Drawn Up in Time for 2014 Election

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Richard WingerJuly 17, 2014

On July 17, a Florida state trial court in Tallahassee heard arguments on whether the state’s unconstitutional U.S. House district boundaries should be altered in time for the 2014 election. See this story.

Mississippi Supreme Court Won’t Order Immediate Release of Poll Books

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Richard WingerJuly 17, 2014

On July 17, the Mississippi Supreme Court voted 4-3 that Chris McDaniel’s campaign is not entitled to immediately see the Poll Books from the June 2014 primaries and run-off primaries. McDaniel’s campaign wanted to see them to see how many voters cast a vote in the Democratic primary of June 3, and then voted in the Republican run-off primary of June 24. However, the law says that before the Poll Books can be made public, each voter’s Social Security Number, birthdate, and telephone number must be redacted, which takes time.

Three justices feel the denial order is premature without further proceedings. Two justices did not participate. The Mississippi Supreme Court has nine members. See this story. The case is In Re: Chris McDaniel, 2014-M-967. Thanks to Thomas Jones for the link.

Peoria Journal-Star Story on New Green Party Illinois Ballot Access Lawsuit

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Richard WingerJuly 17, 2014

The Peoria Journal-Star has this article about the Green Party lawsuit filed against certain Illinois ballot access laws. The story quotes a professor of political science who predicts the lawsuit won’t win, but neither the professor nor the reporter were aware, when the story was written, that one of the laws challenged by the Green Party has already been enjoined in another ballot access case, Libertarian Party of Illinois v Illinois State Board of Elections, northern district, 12C-2511, issued September 5, 2012. The Journal-Star may do a follow-up story.