Four-Way Massachusetts Gubernatorial Poll

On June 6, the Boston Globe released this Massachusetts gubernatorial poll. The results: Democrat Martha Coakley 37%; Republican Charlie Baker 32%; independent Jeffrey S. McCormick 7%; United Independent Party nominee Evan Falchuk 2%; undecided 22%.

The primaries are not until September 9, and there is no certainty that the candidates named above will be the major party nominees, but they are considered the most likely nominees. Thanks to PoliticalWire for the link.

Green Party Candidate Wins Non-Partisan Election in Massachusetts

On May 13, Damon Jespersen, a registered member of the Green Party, was elected Selectman of Newbury, Massachusetts. He placed first, and ousted an incumbent. Even though the Green Party is not now ballot-qualified in Massachusetts, election officials keep track of registrants in certain unqualified parties that have asked for registration rights. The Massachusetts Green Party expects to regain its qualified status in November 2014, because it is running for three statewide partisan offices, and expects to poll at least 3% for at least one of them, if not all three offices. The three offices are Secretary of State, Auditor, and Treasurer. Minor parties always poll 3% for these offices in Massachusetts.

Illinois Legislative Term Limits Petition has Enough Valid Signatures

On June 2, the Illinois State Board of Elections determined that the statewide initiative to impose legislative term limits has enough valid signatures to be on the ballot. See this story. However, the measure still faces legal challenges, because opponents say the Illinois Constitution does not permit that type of initiative to be on the ballot.