In Pennsylvania, candidates seeking a spot on a primary ballot must submit petitions. Representative Seth Grove (R-Dover Township) has introduced HB 115, which would give primary candidates an alternative method of running. They would not need a petition if they paid a filing fee. Candidates for statewide office would pay $38,500. Candidates for U.S. House would pay $10,000; for State Senate, $5,000; for State Representative, $3,000.
Oregon Representative John Lively (D-Springfield) has introduced HB 3166. It would set up a top-five primary, and abolish the ability of parties to have nominees. However, there is no provision for Ranked Choice Voting in the bill.
Thus, a primary might conceivably have four Democrats and one Republican placing in the top five. Then the general election would be obviously unfair to the Democratic Party, because the Democratic vote would be split up and the sole Republican would be extremely likely to win, even in a heavily Democratic district.
New York Assemblymember Amy Paulin (D-Scarsdale) has introduced A560, which would use ranked choice voting for president, in general elections.
New Mexico State Senators Katy Duhigg and Heather Berghmons have introduced an omnibus election law bill, SB 218. One of the provisions allows petition signatures to be collected electronically. However that provision only applies to petitions to recognize a new party; it doesn’t pertain to candidate petitions.
Ten New Hampshire Representatives have introduced HB 327, which makes it easier for candidates to file for the primary. Such candidaes don’t need a petition, but they do need to file a declaration of candidacy. The bill says that if the candidate lives in a town in which the town clerk’s office is open fewer than three days per week, or is open fewer than 18 hours per week, the candidate can instead file with the Secretary of State.
The bill also says that town clerks can accept declarations of candidacy even if the form has not been notarized.
For consistency and fairness, the bill ought to include similar provisions for independent candidates.
