Rhode Island State Senator David Bates (R-Barrington) has introduced SB 203. It lowers the petition to create a new party from 5% of the last vote cast, to 1%. It also lets the petition be circulated in an odd year. Current law says the petition can only be circulated in even-numbered years. The bill is co-sponsored by Senator Edward O’Neill, the legislature’s only independent.
On February 4, both Arkansas bills to improve ballot access for minor parties passed the House State Agencies and Government Affairs Committee. HB 1246 expands the petitioning period for new party petitions from any 60 days to any 90 days. HB 1247 improves the vote test for a party to remain on the ballot from 3% of the vote for the office at the top of the ticket (either President or Governor, depending on which year it was) to 3% for any statewide office at either of the last two elections.
On January 29, U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin) introduced a proposed Constitutional amendment, to provide that governors could no longer appoint U.S. Senators when a seat becomes vacant. Instead, special elections would be required, as is currently the case for U.S. House vacancies. Here is Senator Feingold’s press release. The SJR number is not yet available. Thanks to Jack Ross for this news. The bill is co-sponsored by Senators John McCain (R-Arizona) and Mark Begich (D-Alaska).
New Mexico Senator Al Park (D-Albuquerque) has introduced HB 299, to provide that candidates seeking a place on a primary ballot may use a filing fee instead of a petition. The bill requires a fee of 4% of the annual salary. However, for state legislative candidates, the filing fee would be $100. The fee for offices that have no salary would be $50.
A bill has been introduced in the Virginia legislature to make it illegal for petition circulators to be paid on a per-signature basis. It is HB 2642, sponsored by Delegate Robert Orrick (R-Thornburg). The bill also requires people who register to vote to submit proof that they are U.S. citizens, effective in 2010.
