California Special Election Returns, State Senate District 23

On March 25, California held a special election for State Senate, 23rd district. The Libertarian, Jeff Hewitt, a city councilman, placed fourth in a five-person race, polling 6.5%. This is the 86th election for federal or state office in which a minor party member has run in a top-two system, and in which there were at least two major party members running. In all 86 instances, the minor party member did not place first or second. Here is a link to the election returns.

Maine Democratic Party Official Challenges Primary Petition for Green Party Candidate for State Senate

This article from Green Party Watch explains that the state chair of the Maine Green Party, Asher Platts, is fighting to appear on the Green Party’s June 2014 primary ballot, as a candidate for State Senate, 27th district. He needs 100 signatures of party members. A Democratic Party official has challenged his petition, saying he really only has 99 valid signatures. Platts believes he does have at least 100 valid signatures.

Tennessee Legislative Committees Postpone Hearing on Ballot Access Bills

Committees in both houses of the Tennessee legislature have again postponed consideration of the ballot access bills, HB 958 and SB 1091. The bills lower the number of signatures from 2.5% of the last gubernatorial vote (over 40,000 signatures) to exactly 2,500 signatures.

The Senate bill will now be heard April 2, and the House bill on April 1. They had been scheduled for March 25 hearings.