Ohio Could Conceivably Still Move its Primary to April 24

Posted on by December 9, 2011
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Currently, Ohio is set to have its state office and U.S. Senate primary in March, and its U.S. House and Presidential Primary on June 12. However, according to Frontloading HQ, there is still a chance the Ohio legislature will pass a bill moving both primaries to April 24. See this story.

If this happens, then it would make some sense for the Ohio Libertarian Party to use the presidential primary that it is permitted to have, because April 24 would be earlier than the Libertarian Party’s national convention, which is in early May.

Florida Congressional Candidate Sues to Overturn New Florida Law that Bans Someone from Running in a Primary if the Candidate was a Member of Another Party

Posted on by December 9, 2011
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On December 8, Nancy Argenziano, a former Republican Florida state legislator, filed a lawsuit in state court, seeking to overturn the 2011 law that says no one may run in a partisan primary if that person were a registered member of another qualified party at any time in the last year before filing. The case is Argenziano v Browning, Leon County Circuit Court, 2011-ca-3484.

Argenziano wants to run for U.S. House in 2012 as a Democrat. She had registered out of the Republican Party months ago, but unfortunately for her, instead of registering as an independent (which would not have barred her from running in the Democratic primary next year), she accidentally registered as a member of the Independent Party, which has been a ballot-qualified party in Florida for over ten years.

Florida is in the process of decertifying certain qualified minor parties that have not complied with new requirements for party qualification, but the Independent Party has re-qualified and continues to be ballot-qualified.

Argenziano’s lawsuit would be far stronger if the Democratic Party of Florida would join her as a co-plaintiff. So far, however, Argenziano is the only plaintiff. In 1986 the U.S. Supreme Court said that if a party wants to nominate a non-member, the U.S. Constitution protects its right to do that. The U.S. Supreme Court has found stronger legal protection for political parties than it has for candidates.

Three Members of Congress Introduce Constitutional Amendment to Limit Expenditures on Election Campaigns

Posted on by December 9, 2011
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On December 8, three members of Congress introduced a proposed Constitutional Amendment, which says, “Congress and the States shall have the power to regulate and set limits on all election contributions and expenditures, including a candidate’s own spending.” The authors are U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, U.S. Senator Mark Begich of Alaska, and U.S. House member Ted Deutch of Florida.

The proposed amendment also says, “The rights protected by the Constitution of the United States are the rights of natural persons and do not extend to for-profit corporations, limited liability companies, or other private entities established for business purposes or to promote business interests under the laws of any state, the United States, or any foreign state.” However, the amendment also says the proposal could not limit the freedom of the press.

Because Senator Sanders is an independent, it is disappointing that his proposed amendment says nothing about requiring systems of public financing for elections to treat all candidates equally. The amendment is also disappointing because it makes no attempt to define “press.” Here is the language of the proposed amendment, which is less than three pages in length.

Ohio Green Party Expected to be First Minor Party Ever to Have an Ohio Presidential Primary

Posted on by December 9, 2011
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Ohio has been holding presidential primary elections every presidential election year starting in 1912. However, no party other than the Democratic or Republican Parties has ever had a presidential primary in Ohio. The Ohio election law says the presidential primary is mandatory for parties that polled at least 20% for Governor in the preceding election, but other qualified parties may have a presidential primary if they wish. However, no qualified minor party in Ohio has ever asked for one.

This year, the Green Party, which is ballot-qualified, expects to hold an Ohio presidential primary. Candidates who wish to be on the party’s primary ballot need to come up with a slate of delegates and then collect 500 signatures for the presidential candidate/delegate slate. Jill Stein, who is seeking the Green Party’s presidential nomination, expects to obtain a place on the party’s Ohio presidential primary.

The Ohio presidential primary is June 12, and the Green Party national convention is July 13-15.

It is not likely that any of Ohio’s other qualified minor parties will ask for a presidential primary. The Socialist Party has already nominated its candidate. The Constitution and Libertarian Parties scheduled their national conventions ahead of the date of the Ohio presidential primary. And Americans Elect prefers not to use any of its government-provided presidential primaries. Thanks to Ben Manski for this news.

Peace & Freedom Party’s National Organizing Committee Holds National Meeting in San Francisco, December 10-11

Posted on by December 8, 2011
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Almost six months ago, California’s Peace & Freedom Party launched a National Organizing Committee, with the mission of exploring a united “left” presidential campaign in 2012. The Committee is holding a two-day forum in San Francisco, December 10-11. The group meets on Saturday at the Unitarian Church at 1187 Franklin Street, and on Sunday at 518 Valencia Street. Meetings on both days start at 9 a.m. It is likely that representatives of the Socialist Party, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, the Freedom Socialist Party, and Peace & Freedom itself will participate. It is also possible that representatives of Rocky Anderson’s new Justice Party will attend.