David Rea Op-Ed Explains Why Maine Should Try Ranked-Choice or Preference Voting

Posted on by January 25, 2013
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David Rea has this op-ed in the Auburn, Maine Sun Journal, advocating that the Maine legislature pass the pending bills that would use Ranked-Choice Voting. Rea is an educator and author in Boulder, Colorado. He actually argues for any form of multi-choice voting, which could include preference voting as well as Ranked-Choice voting. Thanks to Steve Chessin for the link.

Also, here is a somewhat similar op-ed in The Daily Campus, the student publication at the University of Connecticut. It was written by Gregory Koch.

New Louisiana Registration Tally

Posted on by January 25, 2013
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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.

Florida Libertarian Party Files Financial Report with Wrong Office, Gets a Fine of $70,000

Posted on by January 24, 2013
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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.

Republican National Chair Wants Fewer Presidential Primary Debates, Shorter Primary Season

Posted on by January 24, 2013
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This CNN interview with Reince Priebus says that the Republican Party’s national chair wants fewer presidential primary debates in 2016, at least for Republicans. Also Priebus says he would like the presidential primaries to start later in the year, and finish up sooner. But he doesn’t indicate that he is doing anything to achieve these goals. Presidential primary dates are almost entirely set by state legislatures. Thanks to Thomas Jones for the link.