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Thirty States Have Lost Lawsuits Over Too-Early Petition Deadlines for Minor Parties and Independent Candidates

Posted on March 24, 2012 by Richard WingerMarch 24, 2012

The April 1, 2012 printed Ballot Access News will contain a chart listing lawsuits that concern deadlines to get on the ballot. The chart will list 49 lawsuits in which courts have enjoined too-early deadlines for newly-qualifying parties or independent candidates to get on the ballot, or have declared such deadlines unconstitutional, or strongly suggested those deadlines are unconstitutional. These lawsuits span the period 1968 through 2012. They cover 30 states.

Lawsuits are pending on this issue in Alabama, Montana, Oklahoma, and Vermont. Lawsuits against other states are likely to be filed in the last week of March.

New Kentucky Bill to Move Primary, Including Presidential Primary, from May to August

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Richard WingerMarch 23, 2012

On March 5, Kentucky State Senate President David Williams introduced SB 7. The bill moves the primary, including the presidential primary, from May to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in August. A similar bill passed the State Senate last year, but died in the House.

There is no rational reason why presidential primaries should not be in July and August. The national conventions this year for the two major parties are in late August and early September. A massive move by many states to move presidential primaries to the summer months would shorten the too-long presidential primary season, which now runs from January through late June. Thanks to Frontloading HQ for the news.

Lower House of Russian Parliament Passes Bill Easing Ballot Access for Political Parties

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Richard WingerMarch 23, 2012

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.

Public Policy Poll Includes Gary Johnson, Finds Him at 7% if Three Candidates are Mentioned

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Richard WingerMarch 23, 2012

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.

Buddy Roemer Says He will Name Vice-Presidential Nominee Soon

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Richard WingerMarch 23, 2012

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.