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Angus King, Independent U.S. Senate Candidate in Maine, Far Ahead in Poll

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Richard WingerApril 6, 2012

On April 6, Maine People’s Resource Center released the results of a poll for various Maine election races. In the U.S. Senate race, the poll assumed that the Republicans will nominate Charlie Summers, and that Democrats will nominate Matt Dunlap (the primary is in June). The results: Angus King, independent, 56.0%; Republican Charlie Summers 21.8%; Democrat Matt Dunlap 12.2%; other and undecided 9.9%. See the entire poll here. The U.S. Senate results are on page eleven.

No one other than the Republican and Democratic nominees for U.S. Senate in Maine has ever polled as much as 10% of the popular vote in the past. The United States has been electing U.S. Senators by popular vote starting in 1914.

Only 15% of District of Columbia Voters Voted in April 3 Primary

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Richard WingerApril 6, 2012

The District of Columbia held its primary this year on April 3. It was a combined presidential primary, and a primary for all other partisan office. According to this story, only 15% of the registered voters cast a ballot. City councilmembers are already talking about moving it to June in future years. See this story.

Supporters of National Popular Vote Plan Broadcast TV Ad in Kentucky

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Richard WingerApril 6, 2012

Supporters of the National Popular Vote Plan for presidential elections are airing a television ad in Kentucky, attacking U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell for his opposition to the National Popular Vote Plan idea. The ad is titled, “Winners Should Win” and makes reference to the recent victory of the Kentucky Wildcats in the NCAA basketball competition. The ad explains that under the existing system, presidential candidates can be sworn into office even though they received fewer popular votes than other presidential candidates.

The ad is sponsored by a 501(c)(4) organization called “Support Popular Vote”, which is backed by Tom Golisano. Senator McConnell has been a leading foe of the National Popular Vote Plan idea.

Watch the ad here:

Minnesota Bill Would Move Presidential Independent Petition Deadline from August to June

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Richard WingerApril 6, 2012

On August 4, the Minnesota House amended SF 2296 to include a provision moving the primary from August to June. Because Minnesota law already says that independent presidential petitions are due on primary day, the bill would have the effect of moving the petition deadline from August to June.

However, on August 5, the Senate refused to agree to the House amendment. The vote in the House, inserting the amendment on the primary date change, was 66-65.

Petition deadlines for independent presidential candidates have been held unconstitutional, or enjoined, if they are as early as June, in these states: Alaska, Arizona, Kansas, Nevada, Rhode Island, and South Dakota. This information has been sent to an election law analyst in the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office.

Arcadia, California, City Ballots Contain Serious Translation Error

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Richard WingerApril 6, 2012

Arcadia, California, holds an all-mail ballot for city office this month. The ballots are printed in several languages. The ballot is supposed to tell voters to vote for up to two candidates for city council. But the Mandarin directions on the ballot, intended to help voters who read Mandarin easier than English, says to vote for up to three candidates. The city will send a postcard to all voters, warning them of the error. See this story. Thanks to ElectionUpdates for the link.