Randall Hayes’ blog The Bald Cypress has an informative post about the new Louisiana registration tally compared to the old one. Because the state purged inactive voters, the total number of registered voters in the state declined. The only qualified party that gained registrants between the old tally and the new tally is the Libertarian Party. Among the parties attempting to qualify, the only one that gained registrations is the Conservative Party, which is now over half-way toward meeting the 1,000-member requirement.

The Florida Secretary of State has fined the Florida Libertarian Party $70,000 because the party’s financial report was a week late. The party treasurer filed the report on time, but he filed it with the Federal Election Commission instead of the Florida Elections office. The party is appealing the fine. An administrative hearing is being held February 20. The party is being assisted in this matter by an attorney.

A previous blog post here mentioned the Florida Green Party’s fine of $10,000. Also the Florida Secretary of State has cancelled the Objectivist Party’s ballot status because that party failed to keep the Secretary of State advised of the names of its current officers. And the Florida Secretary of State is threatening the Justice Party and Americans Elect because their financial reports still haven’t been filed. Thanks to Jim Riley for the news about the Libertarian Party.

On January 23, the Missouri House passed HB 110 by a vote of 115-45. It says when one of the statewide state executive positions becomes vacant, there will be a special election. Under current law, these posts are filled by appointment when they are vacant. See this story. In case the Lieutenant Governor is elected to Congress in a special election this coming June, there will be a special election to fill his job in November 2014. Without this bill, the office would next be voted on in 2016.