Utah will hold a special gubernatorial election in 2010, because the Governor elected in 2008, Jon Huntsman, has resigned to become Ambassador to China. The 2010 election will be the first special gubernatorial election in Utah history.

Most states don’t hold special gubernatorial elections when a Governor leaves office in the first half of the term. Instead, they follow the federal model, in which a vice-president who fills a presidential vacancy automatically completes the full presidential term, even if the vice-president becomes president in the first half of the term (for example, Harry Truman became president in April 1945, and no special presidential election was held in 1946).

Thus, in 2010, Utah will have two statewide offices on the ballot, Governor and U.S. Senator. Having two offices instead of just U.S. Senate on the ballot may make it somewhat easier for both of Utah’s qualified minor parties to retain their spots on the ballot in 2010. Both the Libertarian Party and Constitution Party (plus any party that might qualify for 2010 by petition) need to poll 2% in a statewide race in order to remain ballot-qualified for 2012.

The Louisiana legislature has an excellent webpage, in that it is possible to watch Louisiana legislative hearings on one’s computer. Here is a link to the 30-minute hearing held on May 19 on HB 776. That bill, written by the Secretary of State’s office, says that qualified parties with fewer than 40,000 registrants may no longer nominate by primary. Unfortunately, the bill does not provide any authority for them to nominate any other way, such as by convention or caucus. UPDATE: the next hearing on this bill is not May 26 (Tuesday); it is May 27 (Wednesday).

To see the hearing, scroll down to entries labeled “May 19, 2009 Regular Legislative Session”. Then choose the “House and Gov Committee.” The testimony on HB 776 starts 20 minutes into the committee hearing, and lasts 30 minutes. One watches Secretary of State Jay Dardenne explain that if his bill passes, and if two Green Party members file for the same congressional seat, they would both appear on the November ballot with the party label. In such a system, of course, the Green Party has no ability to decide on its preferred nominee. Even if 99% of the party members want one particular Green, and only 1% want another Green, both would appear on the general election ballot. Secretary Dardenne seems to think there is nothing wrong with that.

The committee postponed action on the bill until its May 26 hearing. Ballot Access News has faxed a letter to each committee member, suggesting that HB 776 be amended to authorize small qualified parties to nominate by convention. It is believed that Louisiana members and officers of the qualified parties (Green, Libertarian, and Reform) have also communicated their concerns. Thanks to Randall Hayes for the link to the video.

The May 23 Daily Oklahoman, Oklahoma’s largest daily newspaper, has this story about the failure of the legislature to pass any ballot access reform for minor parties. The story is undoubtably the result of a well-written press release by Oklahomans for Ballot Access Reform (OBAR). Thanks to Richard Prawdzienski for the news. As the story and the press release makes clear, Oklahoma has two-year legislative sessions, and the bill (which has already passed both Houses overwhelmingly) has good chances in 2010.