The Constitution Party is petitioning for status as a qualified party for 2010 in both Wyoming and Arizona. The Wyoming drive, which could not legally start until April 1, 2009, already has 250 volunteer signatures.
Reply
The Texas House Elections Committee holds a hearing on April 20 (Monday) at 2 p.m. One bill on the agenda is HB 1892, which would require all qualified parties to nominate by primary. The other bill of interest being heard is HB 1821, which would establish registration by political party and which would make it illegal for a member of a qualified party to sign an independent candidate’s petition, or a petition for a new party.
The hearing is in the Capitol Extension (underground), floor E2, room 28. Thanks to Brent Bullock for the news.
This article in the April 20 issue of the West Volusia Beacon newspaper in Florida concerns the bill that would make it illegal to pay initiative circulators on a per-signature basis. The story highlights criticism of the bill from civic organizations. The bill also injures petitioning by making it illegal for anyone to talk to voters waiting in line, so that petitioning at the polls would become impossible. Also the bill provides that initiative petitioners must have their photo and address on file with the county elections office.
On April 16, the Alabama House passed HB 711 by a margin of 89-3. It establishes a test program to let overseas voters vote by internet, in the 2010 election.
On April 16, the Greenville County, South Carolina Republican Party filed a federal lawsuit for the purpose of obtaining a closed primary for itself. Currently, South Carolina does not have registration by party, so any voter can choose which party’s primary to vote in. Harms v Hudgens, 6:09-1022-HFF. The case was assigned to Judge Henry Floyd, a Bush Jr. appointee. Thanks to Steve Rankin for this news.