Washington, D.C. On-Line News Source “Greater Greater Washington” Advocates IRV

Posted on by August 26, 2010
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Topher Matthews has this column in “Greater Greater Washington”, an on-line news source for the Washington, D.C., area, advocating that city elections in Washington, D.C. (or at least mayoralty elections) use Instant-Runoff Voting, and that the primary be abolished.  Washington, D.C., has partisan city elections.  The city is overwhelmingly dominated by the Democratic Party.  Yet, as the column points out, the general election in November always has a substantially higher turnout than the summer primary.  See the column here.

Tea Party Files Ballot Access Lawsuit in Michigan

Posted on by August 26, 2010
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On August 25, the group that submitted a petition to be on the Michigan ballot as a political party called the Tea Party, filed a lawsuit to obtain a place on the ballot.  The case is The Tea Party v Board of State Canvassers, state court of appeals, Lansing, 299805.

The group has enough valid signatures on its petition, but the Board of State Canvassers refused to put it on the ballot because of various paperwork irregularities.  The petition form is a state form that asks the group circulating the petition to enter the name of the party.  The group filled out the form with the words “Tea Party”.  However, on the certificate naming the party’s officers, and the campaign finance reports, the party is “The Tea Party.”   Also, in Michigan, the party’s vignette (the picture that goes on the ballot representing the party; this is called a “logo” in other states) says the name of the party is “The Tea Party”.

Delaware Independent Party, Blue Enigma Party Nominate Candidates

Posted on by August 26, 2010
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On August 25, the Independent Party released the names of its nominees for U.S. Senator and U.S. House.  Also the Blue Enigma Party released the name of its nominee for U.S. Senate.  See this story, which also covers the Constitution Party’s failure to regain its spot on the ballot this year.

The Green Party is ballot-qualified in Delaware but has no nominees this year.

The Libertarian Party had already turned in the names of its nominees.

Hawaii Democrats Go to Court to Eliminate Republican from Primary Ballot

Posted on by August 26, 2010
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Democrats in Kauai County, Hawaii, have gone to state court to keep a Republican candidate off the ballot for a state legislative seat.  They allege paperwork errors.  Candidates for the legislature in Hawaii only need 15 signatures.  If the Democratic attempt is successful, the Democratic nominee will be unopposed, and write-ins in Hawaii are banned.  See this story.  UPDATE:  the Democratic Party lost its lawsuit.  See this story.