Delaware Representative Earl Jaques (D-Newark) has introduced HB 11, to make it illegal for two parties to jointly nominate the same candidate. See this story. Similar bills have been introduced in recent past sessions of the Delaware legislature, but have not passed. Thanks to Eric Dondero for the link.
At the November 2, 2010 election, Green Party nominees for the State House outpolled their Republican opponents in four districts. The best Green showing was in Brunswick, in the 66th district. See this pre-election story, which has an interview with all three candidates. The results were: Democratic 38.62%; Green 33.33%; Republican 28.05%. The Green nominee was K. Frederick Horch.
The other districts in which Greens outpolled Republicans were the 115th, 118th, and 120th districts, all in Portland.
The organization that is working for the National Popular Vote Plan in presidential elections has found a sponsor for its bill in the 2011 session of the Nebraska legislature. See this story.
On January 18, Sargent Shriver died. He was the Democratic Party’s nominee for vice-president in 1972. He was chosen by the Democratic National Committee, in a committee meeting, after the vice-presidential nominee chosen by the Democratic National Convention resigned from the ticket.
During the 20th century, the only other Republican or Democratic Party vice-presidential nominee not chosen by a national convention was Nicholas Murray Butler, the Republican vice-presidential nominee in 1912. He was chosen by the Republican National Committee after the party’s original nominee, James S. Sherman, died during the campaign, on October 30, 1912.
Here is the second brief on the merits, in the U.S. Supreme Court case on Arizona public funding. Both briefs that have been filed so far are opposed to the Arizona system of giving extra public funding to certain candidates who have well-funded opponents. The case is Arizona Free Enterprise Club’s Freedom Club PAC v Bennett, 10-238. The briefs in defense of the existing state policy will be filed next month. The case will be argued on March 28. Thanks to Rick Hasen’s ElectionLawBlog for the link.
