On March 3, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty signed SF 2251, which moves the primary from September to August. It also moves the independent candidate petition deadline (for office other than President) from July 20 to June 1, and moves the independent presidential deadline from September to August. Finally, it moves the deadline for a new ballot-qualified party from July to June. Thanks to Tony Roza for this news.
On March 2, Allen D. Clark, a California union official, filed a lawsuit in Sacramento Superior Court, to require that the ballot description of Proposition 14, the “top-two open primary” measure, be altered. The case is Clark v Bowan, 34-2010-80000460.
The legislature wrote the ballot description for Proposition 14. It says, “Elections. Primaries. Greater Participation in Elections.” “Reforms the primary election process for congressional, statewide and legislative races. Allows all voters to choose any candidate regardless of the candidate’s or voter’s political party preference. Ensures that the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes will appear on the general election ballot regardless of party preference.”
Clark proposes this language: “Changes primary election process. Changes primary election procedures for congressional, legislative and statewide races. Allows all voters to choose any candidate regardless of the candidate’s or voter’s political party preference. Does not require candidates to disclose their registered political party preference. Eliminates political parties’ rights to be on the general election ballot. Ensures that only the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes will appear on the general election ballot regardless of their registered political party preference. Does not change primary election for President, party committee officers, and nonpartisan offices.”
The California Election Code says the description of ballot measures must be neutral.
On March 2, Allen D. Clark, a California union official, filed a lawsuit in Sacramento Superior Court, to require that the ballot description of Proposition 14, the “top-two open primary” measure, be altered. The case is Clark v Bowan, 34-2010-80000460.
The legislature wrote the ballot description for Proposition 14. It says, “Elections. Primaries. Greater Participation in Elections.” “Reforms the primary election process for congressional, statewide and legislative races. Allows all voters to choose any candidate regardless of the candidate’s or voter’s political party preference. Ensures that the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes will appear on the general election ballot regardless of party preference.”
Clark proposes this language: “Changes primary election process. Changes primary election procedures for congressional, legislative and statewide races. Allows all voters to choose any candidate regardless of the candidate’s or voter’s political party preference. Does not require candidates to disclose their registered political party preference. Eliminates political parties’ rights to be on the general election ballot. Ensures that only the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes will appear on the general election ballot regardless of their registered political party preference. Does not change primary election for President, party committee officers, and nonpartisan offices.”
The California Election Code says the description of ballot measures must be neutral.
Alabama HB 515 passed the House Constitution and Elections Committee on March 3, on a party-line vote. Democrats voted for it, Republicans voted against it. It would provide that the number of presidential electors any presidential candidate receives in Alabama would depend on what proportion of the popular vote the presidential candidate received. No state has ever used this idea. Thanks to Bob Friedman for the news.
The bill’s author in the House is Demetrius Newton (D-Birmingham). An identical bill in the Senate, SB 461, has not yet made any headway. It is sponsored by Linda Coleman (D-Birmingham).
Matt Monica, a member of the Palm Desert School Board and also a member of the American Independent Party, will run for the California State Senate seat in the 37th district, in an upcoming special election. The first round is on April 13. Because there are three Republicans and three Democrats in the race, along with Monica for the AIP, it is very unlikely anyone will poll as much as 50% on April 13. Therefore, a three-party run-off is likely on June 8. See here for more information about Monica. He was elected to the School Board in 1980 through 1998, and also 2004 through the present.
