On May 20, the Texas legislature passed SB 817. This bill had been requested by Texas Libertarians. It allows parties that nominate by convention to nominate someone, even though that person also holds party office. Also, it moves the state convention for such parties from the second Saturday in June, to the second Saturday in April. The party felt that its nominees will be advantaged if they are nominated earlier in the year. The major party primaries are in March.

A somewhat better approach would have been to let convention parties decide for themselves when to hold the state convention, but Texas has a strong tradition of regulating party activities and such an idea probably would not have passed.

Pennsylvania State Senator Mike Folmer will hold a Voters’ Choice Act town hall meeting on Tuesday, May 28. The purpose of the meeting is to gain publicity and spread information about his SB 195, which would ease ballot access in Pennsylvania. The meeting is at 6 p.m. in room 312 of the Neidig Garber Science Center, on the campus of Lebanon Valley College, 101 N. College Ave., Annville. Annville is in Lebanon County, not too far from Lancaster and Harrisburg.

On May 23, California SB 213 passed the Senate Appropriations Committee. It repeals all residency requirements for petitioners. Now it goes to the Senate floor.