Lawsuit over Identity of the Officers of the American Independent Party Moves Ahead

Posted on by September 2, 2010
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Ever since 2008, the American Independent Party of California has had two sets of rival state officers, and the dispute over the identity of the legal officers has been in state court.  On September 1, Solano County Superior Court Judge William C. Harrison held a hearing in the case, King v Robinson, FCS 034452, and issued some procedural rulings.

The judge ruled that Solano County is a proper venue for this lawsuit, and he directed the defendants (individuals who supported the presidential nomination of Alan Keyes in 2008) to answer the Complaint.  Once the answer is filed, the case can move to the merits.

Arizona Holds 4-Candidate Gubernatorial Debate

Posted on by September 2, 2010
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On September 1, a televised gubernatorial debate was held in Arizona.  The nominees of the Democratic, Green, Libertarian and Republican Parties, all participated.  See this story.  Thanks to Independent Political Report for the link.  Those four candidates are the only four candidates on the November ballot.

Wyoming Democratic Voters Nominate Two Statewide Candidates by Write-in, but Both Decline to Run in November

Posted on by September 2, 2010
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Wyoming held primaries on August 17.  No candidates filed to appear on the Democratic Primary ballot for either Auditor or Treasurer.  But Wyoming Democratic voters nominated Keith Goodenough for Auditor, and Worth Christie for Treasurer, via write-in votes.  The state law requires a write-in candidate in a primary to outpoll all opponents, and in addition to poll at least 25 write-in votes.  Goodenough received 31 write-ins, and Christie received 30 write-ins, so they were nominated.

But, they both have told the Secretary of State that they do not accept their nominations.  Wyoming does not require write-in candidates to file a declaration of write-in candidacy before any primary or election in order to have their write-ins counted.  However, the write-ins are not canvassed unless someone asks for a tally no later than two days after the primary or election.  See this story.  Thanks to Mike Fellows for the link.

U.S. District Court Upholds Rhode Island’s Straight-Ticket Devices

Posted on by September 2, 2010
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On September 1, U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith upheld Rhode Island’s straight-ticket devices.  See this story.  Two cases, each filed by an independent candidate, were before the judge.  They were Lusi v Mollis, and Healy v State.

A straight-ticket device makes it possible for a voter to vote for all the nominees of one particular party, by making a single mark on a ballot.  Independent candidates never have a straight-ticket device of their own.