Missouri Representative Theodore Hoskins (D-Berkeley) has again introduced his bill to move the petition deadline for independent candidates from July to March. It is HB 571. It includes independent presidential candidates as well as independent candidates for other office. Rep. Hoskins introduced the same bill two years ago, but it did not pass. The Missouri independent petition deadline was in April in the past, but that deadline was held unconstitutional in 1976 in McCarthy v Kirkpatrick, 420 F Supp 366.

New York Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow (D-Mt. Vernon) has introduced A2681, to change the definition of “political party” from a group that polled 50,000 votes for Governor, to a group that polled 100,000 votes for Governor. Assemblymember Pretlow has been in the legislature since 1992 and is a member of the Puerto Rican and Black Caucus.

The New York definition of “political party” is already constitutionally suspect. New York and Indiana are the only states in which it is impossible for a group to attain status as a “political party” during presidential election years. Also, New York is one of eleven states in which it is impossible for a group to transform itself into a qualified party in advance of any particular election.

On February 5, the New Mexico House Consumer & Public Affairs Committee passed HB 383, the National Popular Vote Plan bill. The sponsor is Rep. Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque).