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.

Rhodes Cook Suggests New Republican Presidential Candidates Could Still Enter Race

Posted on by December 8, 2011
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Rhodes Cook has this lengthy analysis, pointing out that it is not too late for a new Republican presidential candidate to emerge. Cook is well-positioned to write this article. He is the editor of The Rhodes Cook Letter, a quarterly publication that analyzes election returns, polling data, straw polls, for presidential, gubernatorial and congressional races. Also he is the author of America Votes, a massive book of election returns that appears every two years, and which has been coming out since 1956. Thanks to Political Wire for the link.

Only Three Republican Presidential Candidates File Petitions to be on Ohio Primary Ballot

Posted on by December 7, 2011
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Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry, and Mitt Romney are the only three Republican presidential candidates who filed petitions on December 7 to be on the Ohio Republican presidential primary. See this story. On the Democratic side, only President Obama filed.

Candidates needed either 1,000 signatures statewide, or 50 in each U.S. House district.

The Ohio presidential primary is not until June 12. It is extremely likely that the December 7 deadline is not final, and that a new petitioning window will open up early next year.