The California Secretary of State’s web page has this chart, which is updated daily, showing validation from each county for the petition to qualify Americans Elect as a party in California. The work must be completed by December 19, 2011.
The petition needs validity of 63.53% in order to succeed. So far, every county that has finished checking is reporting a higher percentage valid, except for two small counties, Imperial and Del Norte.
Massachusetts law says a presidential primary will be held March 6, 2012, and a primary for other office will be held in September 2012. It is possible a bill to combine both primaries and hold them in June will pass this year. The bill, HB 1972, was introduced on January 21, 2011, and the legislature has not done anything with it except to hold a hearing in May. But the bill is gaining support. See this story, which says that 50 town governments have passed resolutions, asking the legislature to pass the bill.
On November 16, the South Carolina Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Beaufort County v South Carolina Election Commission, 2011-200906. The issue is whether the Republican Party must pay all the administrative costs of its presidential primary, or whether counties must pay for part of the costs. See this story. According to the story, the Court is expected to issue a decision no later than November 22.
Chuck Baldwin, the Constitution Party’s presidential nominee in 2008, has announced that he will run in the Republican primary in 2012 in Montana for Lieutenant Governor. In Montana, candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor run as a team in the primary as well as in November. Baldwin’s running mate will be Robert Fanning. Thanks to Gene Berkman for this news.
This blog is encouraging all readers to contribute to the Jerry Trudell lawsuit in Vermont. On November 14, Fairvote, a national organization which promotes proportional representation, instant runoff voting, and other alternative forms of voting, pledged $100 to the fund. The lawsuit concerns the Vermont independent candidate petition deadline. The 2009 session of the Vermont legislature moved that deadline from September to June. Trudell filed a lawsuit against the law but lost in lower state court, and he will appeal to the Vermont Supreme Court if he can raise approximately $2,500 for the transcript. If you wish to pledge, e-mail richardwinger@yahoo.com. $740 has now been pledged. No contributions are expected unless and until the pledges equal at least $2,000. The Coalition for Free & Open Elections will contribute the remainder, if the $2,000 limit is reached.
