Georgia Bill to Establish Partisan Elections for Special Congressional and Legislative Elections, and Some County Offices

Posted on by February 21, 2013
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Six Georgia State Senators have introduced SB 184, which says that all federal, state and county offices in Georgia should be partisan offices. The bill would allow counties that currently have non-partisan school board elections and judicial elections to retain non-partisan elections, but would require a popular vote in each such county to determine whether these elections should also become partisan.

The biggest impact on minor parties, apparently, is that special U.S. House and special legislative elections would be changed. Currently, in Georgia special elections for those offices, all candidates file; all are permitted to choose any party label; all candidates run on the same ballot. The special election then elects someone, with a run-off if no one get at least 50%. The bill is not explicit about special congressional and legislative elections.

Most counties in Georgia already have partisan elections for some county offices. The bill would have no impact on city elections. The bill has been introduced by these Senators: Joshua McKoon (R-Columbus), Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga), Butch Miller (R-Gainesville), Curt Thompson (D-Tucker), William Ligon (R-Brunswick), and Charlie Bethel (R-Dalton). Thanks to Jeff Sexton for this news.

National Popular Vote Plan Organization Apparently Lost $1,520,034 Due to Embezzlement

Posted on by February 21, 2013
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The National Vote Plan organization has sued both Kindee Durkee and the bank she used, hoping for some restitution of the money embezzled from the organization. See this story. Kindee Durkee is already well-known for having pleaded guilty to embezzling from other Democratic Party politicians, while she was campaign treasurer for those office-holders and candidates. The lawsuit alleges that National Popular Vote Plan’s organization lost $1,520,034.64.

Michigan Democratic Legislator Leaves Democratic Party, Becomes an Independent

Posted on by February 20, 2013
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According to this story, Michigan Representative John Olumba has declared that he is no longer a Democrat, and instead is now an independent. Michigan does not have registration by party, so there is no official method for any legislator to switch partisan affiliation other than a public declaration. Olumba is the first Michigan state legislator to be neither a Democrat nor a Republican, since the 1912-1914 session, when there were 17 Progressive Party state legislators in Michigan. If Olumba runs for re-election as an independent in 2014, he will have a tough campaign, because Michigan has a straight-ticket device. Thanks to Nicholas Madaj for the link.

Another Bill Introduced in West Virginia to Make it Easier for a Party to Obtain and Keep Qualified Party Status

Posted on by February 20, 2013
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Five West Virginia Delegates have introduced HB 2565, which makes it easier for a group to obtain and/or keep party status. Current law requires a party to poll 1% for Governor before it enjoys qualified status. The bill would keep that, but would add a second method, that the group have at least 1,000 registered members. Thanks to Jeff Becker and Bill Redpath for this news.

Another bill pending in West Virginia has the same goal, but changes the vote test from 1% for Governor to 1% for any statewide office. That bill is HB 2032. The author of HB 2032 is one of the co-sponsors of HB 2565, which suggests that HB 2032 will be set aside in favor of HB 2565.