Washington State Bill to Eliminate Presidential Primary Makes Headway

Posted on by April 7, 2011
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On April 6, the Washington State Senate passed SB 5119 by a vote of 34-15. It cancels the May 2012 presidential primary. Most Republican Senators voted against the bill. Also on April 6, a similar bill, HB 1324, passed the Washington House State Government and Tribal Affairs Committee.

If the legislature approves this bill, that will leave unresolved the question of whether elections for party office can continue to be held. A U.S. District Court had struck down the existing law, requiring that Precinct Committee Officers of the qualified major parties be elected by all the voters in November. The leading alternate plan to repair the system had been to move these elections to the presidential primary. A bill to put these elections on the presidential primary ballot, HB 1860, had passed the House on March 5. A Senate committee then considered the bill but has not advanced it.

Ohio Democratic Legislators Will Introduce a Bill to Permit Recall

Posted on by April 6, 2011
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According to this story, many Ohio Democratic state legislators will introduce a proposed constitutional amendment next week, to set up procedures for recall of elected state officials (except judges). As the story notes, the bill is extremely unlikely to pass, but introducing the idea in bill form will cause some discussion. Ohio does have the initiative, so it is always possible for the proposal to be put on the ballot as an initiative measure to amend the state Constitution.

The bill will require the signatures of 15% of the last gubernatorial vote in order to recall a state elected official. That is easier than the recall procedures of most states that have the recall, although it is more difficult than California’s recall, which requires a petition of 12% of the last gubernatorial vote. In 2003, when California Governor Gray Davis was recalled, 12% of the last gubernatorial vote worked out to almost exactly 5% of the number of registered voters.

Idaho House Committee Passes Bill Revamping Idaho Primaries

Posted on by April 6, 2011
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According to the Lewiston Tribune, on April 6 the House State Affairs Committee passed SB 1198. This is the bill to let each political party decide for itself whether to let independent voters, and members of other parties, vote in its primaries. Now the bill goes to the House floor. It has already passed the Senate.

The article cannot be linked, unfortunately.

Greens Win Six Non-Partisan Elections in Wisconsin and Illinois

Posted on by April 6, 2011
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Both Wisconsin and Illinois held local non-partisan elections on April 5. Green Party members won six elections:

1. Steve Alesch was elected to the Warrenville Park District Commission in DuPage County, Illinois, in a contested election.
2. Toni Williams was elected to the Thornton Township High School District 205 board, Cook County, Illinois, in a contested election.
3. Don Crawford ran unopposed for a seat on the St. Elmo Library Board in Fayette County, Illinois.
4. Michael Drennan ran unopposed for a seat on the Ridgeville Park Board, Cook County, Illinois.
5. Bob Poeschl was re-elected to the Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Common Council, in a contested election.
6. Marsha Rummel was re-elected to the Madison, Wisconsin, Common Council, district 6, in a contested election.

Thanks to Brent McMillan for this news.

D.C. City Council Passes Bill Combining Presidential Primary and Regular Primary

Posted on by April 6, 2011
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On April 5, the District of Columbia City Council passed bill B19-90 unanimously. It moves the presidential primary from February to the first Tuesday in April. Also, it moves the primary for other partisan office (Delegate to Congress, Shadow Seats in both houses of Congress, Mayor, and City Council) from September to April.

Having just one primary instead of two saves money. The change has no impact on filing deadlines for independent candidates and for the nominees of unqualified parties, which will continue to be in August.