On March 23, the lower house of the Russian Parliament passed a bill that reduces the number of members a party must have, in order to be recognized. The bill drops the number from 40,000, to 500. See this story. Apparently the bill does not ease the requirements for presidential candidates to qualify, however. Thanks to Blair Bobier for the link.
On March 23, a Public Policy Poll for president in the general election shows these results, when these three candidates are named: President Obama 46%, Mitt Romney 39%, Gary Johnson 7%, other or undecided 8%. See this story.
According to this story, Buddy Roemer recently announced at a campaign event that he will name his vice-presidential running mate in the “near future” and that the choice will “shock, please and surprise” people.
On March 22, two bills to ease ballot access for minor parties advanced. The Nebraska Government, Military & Veterans Affairs sent LB 1035 to the floor. This ominbus election law bill includes the provision that when a party meets the vote test to remain qualified, that status lasts for four years, not just two years.
Also on March 22, Missouri HB 1236, which had already passed the House, was sent to the Senate Financial & Government Organizations & Elections Committee. This is the bill to repair the typographical error that requires petitions to create a new party to contain a list of presidential elector candidates if that group intends to nominate someone for President. If the bill passes, the group will be free to circulate the petition before it has chosen presidential elector candidates.
On March 14, the U.S. Justice Department approved Virginia’s new U.S. House districts. Therefore, HB 736 will not go into effect, and the congressional primary will be on June 12, not in August. HB 736 says the 2012 congressional primary should be in August if the districts aren’t approved by the Justice Department by April 3. But the districts have been approved, so that bill has no effect.
Another bill, HB 1151, says 2012 petitions may use the old districts. The Governor still hasn’t signed that bill.
