The Peace Party has submitted a petition to be recognized as a party in Oregon. Press reports are that the group’s margin of raw signatures over the 20,000 requirement is somewhat slim. The Secretary of State has until the end of August to verify the signatures.

Some observers in Oregon have jumped to the conclusion that the Peace Party is Ralph Nader’s vehicle for obtaining ballot access in that state. However, those conclusions seem inaccurate. It is more likely that the Independent Party of Oregon will nominate Nader.

UPDATE: It appears that the Maine town and county clerks are using their discretionary powers and are accepting the slightly late filing by the LP. The actual state deadline is August 15, so the petitions will still meet that more important deadline.

The Barr campaign petitions now have 5,520 signatures, which should be enough to make the 4,000 valid requirement.

San Francisco election officials today certified Cindy Sheehan for the November ballot against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She had to get 10,198 signatures. Officials said she turned in 214 more than she needed.

Sheehan is the first independent House candidate to qualify for the California ballot since 1996. California’s requirement for independent candidates for U.S. House is the 4th most difficult in the nation (only Georgia, Illinois, and North Carolina have more severe requirements). She has the endorsement of the local Peace and Freedom Party and Green Party.