Two Green Party Members are Still in the Running for the California Citizens Redistricting Commission

The California Citizens Redistricting Commission will draw the boundaries for state legislative districts, after the 2010 census data is available (unless the voters vote for a ballot measure next month, Proposition 27, that would abolish the Commission).  The Commission will have 5 registered Democrats, 5 registered Republicans, and 4 members who are neither.  The process by which the membership of the Commission will be chosen is almost finished.  At this point there are 60 California voters who are still in contention to be on the Commission.  They include two registered members of the Green Party, 18 independents, 20 Republicans, and 20 Democrats.

The two Greens are Teresa Espana of Fresno County, and Stuart Flashman of Alameda County.  Thanks to Mike Feinstein for this news.

Lenora Fulani Seems to Endorse Charles Barron, Freedom Party Nominee for New York Governor

New York city councilmember Charles Barron is running for Governor of New York on the Freedom Party ticket.  Although he is a registered Democrat, he and the Freedom Party are unhappy that no statewide nominee of the Democratic Party this year is non-white.  Barron represents the 42nd district in Brooklyn, and when he was young, in 1969, he was an activist in the Black Panther Party.  Here is his official city web page.  He doesn’t seem to have a campaign web page.

On October 5, Lenora Fulani held a press conference to express her opinion about the New York gubernatorial race.  She said, “I welcome Charles Barron’s entry into independent politics and his bid to create the Freedom Party.  And I want to urge the Harlem community, together with independent-minded people across this state, to help the Freedom Party get the 50,000 votes needed for ballot status.”

The other nominees of the Freedom Party this year are Ramon Jimenez for Attorney General, and Eva Doyle for Lieutenant Governor.  Former New York city Mayor David Dinkins has said that Charles Barron should be allowed into this year’s gubernatorial debates.  Thanks to Nancy Hanks for this news.

Atlanta Progressive News Begins Series of Articles About Georgia Ballot Access Laws

Matthew Cardinale, a reporter for the Atlanta Progressive News, is authoring a series of articles about Georgia’s ballot access laws.  Here is the first article.  Very few people in Georgia understand that state’s ballot access laws, and even political reporters and bloggers frequently make factual errors when they describe those laws.  But Cardinale’s article is perfectly accurate.

Pennsylvania Township Suspends Ordinance Requiring Permits for Political Signs

On September 28, South Whitehall Township in eastern Pennsylvania said it will no longer require permits before property owners can put up lawn signs on their own property, advocating a vote for any particular party or candidate.  The township had been sued in federal court by a Democratic Party nominee for requiring $5 permits.  See this story.  Thanks to Larry Otter for the link.