The Ohio Secretary of State has just promulgated a ruling that all the parties that appeared on the Ohio ballot in 2008 are also deemed to be ballot-qualified in 2009. The only regularly-scheduled partisan elections in Ohio in 2009 are in the handful of cities that use partisan elections and which vote in 2009. However, there could also be special elections for U.S. House or state legislature during 2009, if any seats become vacant.

The Libertarian Party expects to nominate Angela Williams for the (partisan) city council election in 2009 in Marion, Ohio.

The parties that were ballot-qualified in 2008 in Ohio (other than the Democrats and Republicans, of course) were all put on by court order. They are Libertarian, Green, Constitution and Socialist.

There is still no bill in the Ohio legislature to replace the old law governing party qualification, and if no such bill passes in 2009, then it is likely the Secretary of State will extend her ruling for the 2010 election. However, the Ohio legislature meets all year long, so it is likely the legislature will pass something in 2009.

On February 19, the Washington State House Committee on State Government and Tribal Affairs passed HB 1598, the National Popular Vote bill. Now it is in the House Rules Committee.

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