April Ballot Access News Print Edition

Posted on by May 3, 2011
3

Ballot Access News
April 1, 2011 – Volume 26, Number 11

This issue was originally printed on white paper.

Table of Contents

  1. BALLOT ACCESS BILLS ADVANCE IN NINE STATES
  2. IDAHO REPUBLICANS WINS LAWSUIT AGAINST OPEN PRIMARY
  3. JUDGE SAYS SOME VALID VOTES NEED NOT BE COUNTED
  4. LIBERTARIANS SUE FEC OVER BEQUESTS
  5. NORTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT BALLOT ACCESS LOSS
  6. MARYLAND RULING EASES PETITIONING
  7. U.S. SUPREME COURT
  8. MORE LAWSUIT NEWS
  9. LAWSUITS ON PRIVACY FOR PETITION SIGNERS
  10. BILLS TO INJURE BALLOT ACCESS
  11. MISSOURI BALLOT ACCESS BILL INTRODUCED
  12. BIRTH CERTIFICATE BILLS FAIL TO PASS
  13. AMERICANS ELECT
  14. OTHER PETITIONING NEWS
  15. NEW MEXICO GAINS ITS FIRST INDEPENDENT STATE LEGISLATOR
  16. MISSISSIPPI 2011 ELECTION
  17. SUBSCRIBING TO BAN WITH PAYPAL

Continue reading →

Mountain Party Nominates Bob Henry Baber for West Virginia Special Gubernatorial Election

Posted on by May 3, 2011
2

On Sunday, May 1, the Mountain Party nominated Bob Henry Baber for Governor in the special election set for October 4, 2011. Baber is a former Mayor of Richwood. He will be the only person on the ballot, other than the Democratic and Republican nominees. The two major parties will soon choose their gubernatorial nominees in a primary election.

The Mountain Party chose to nominate by convention this year. It is the Green Party affiliate in West Virginia. See this story. Thanks to Independent Political Report for the link.

Oklahoma Legislature Passes Bill Moving Petition Deadline to March 1

Posted on by May 3, 2011
5

On May 3, the Oklahoma House again passed HB 1615, so it is now through the legislature. This is the bill that moves the primary (for office other than President) from July to June. It also moves the petition deadline for new parties from May 1 to March 1.

As has been reported already, there are 15 court precedents that petition deadlines for new parties cannot be this early, and no contrary published opinions. It is not known if the Oklahoma legislators who passed this bill were aware of these court precedents. Each legislator received an e-mail documenting this several weeks ago, but chances are very few legislators read the e-mail. One legislator did respond to the e-mail with the comment that “we pass unconstitutional laws all the time.” Thanks to Tony Roza for the news about the bill passing.

Alabama Bill, Moving Primary for All Office from June to March, and Also Moving Petition Deadline, Advances

Posted on by May 3, 2011
1

On May 3, the Alabama Senate Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics & Elections Committee passed HB 425. This is the bill that moves the primary for all office from June to the 2nd Tuesday in March. It has the effect of moving the petition deadline for minor parties and non-presidential independent candidates from June to March, because the existing law says those petitions are due on the date of the non-presidential primary.

As noted earlier, in 1991 the 11th circuit invalidated Alabama’s April petition deadline for new parties, and that case didn’t even involve a presidential election. Precedents against early petition deadlines for minor parties and independent candidates are stronger in presidential elections than they are in elections for other office. At the time of the 1991 decision, Alabama’s petition was 1% of the last gubernatorial vote; not it is 3% of the last gubernatorial vote.