On October 26, this Ipsos Reid Poll of Canadian voters was released. It shows that if the Parliamentary election were being held now, the decided voters would break down this way: Conservative 40%, Liberal 25%, New Democratic Party 13%, Green 11%, Bloc Quebecois 11%.

The undecided voters amount to 6% of the electorate.

Canada is probably the most similar nation to the United States. Canada does not use proportional representation. Nevertheless, because Canada has equal and lenient ballot access laws, equal campaign finance laws, and somewhat inclusive debates, Canada has vigorous minor parties, some of whom occasionally win control of various Provincial governments. Canada’s example shows that the party system in the United States is not natural, but is a product of discriminatory laws and practices. These discriminatory laws and practices did not exist in the 18th or 19th centuries, and by no means were sanctioned by the founding fathers. These discriminatory practices began in the early twentieth century.

The California Board of Common Cause met on October 24 and mulled over whether to make an endorsement either for or against the “top-two” ballot measure that will be on the California ballot in June 2010. But the group decided to postpone that decision until the spring of 2010, when the campaign for and against will be in full swing.

The Morristown, New Jersey Daily Record has this very long and complete story about the nine candidates for New Jersey Governor who have not been getting much publicity. The story, of course, features the Libertarian Party candidate and the Socialist Party candidate, and also the seven independent candidates other than Chris Daggett.