On July 16, the Federal Election Commission approved $411,187.85 in primary season matching funds for Ralph Nader. Primary season matching funds are only for candidates who are seeking the nomination of a political party. Nader is seeking the nomination of many political parties that are qualified in just a single state. Also, one can say he is seeking the nomination of the Independent Party, which he created this year and which is ballot-qualified in New Mexico and Hawaii. Here is a link to the FEC press release. Thanks to Bob Marston for this news.

Walt Disney Pictures has produced “Swing Vote”, which opens August 1. Starring Kevin Costner, the movie is about an extraordinarily close presidential election. It is so close, the results of one particular state will determine who wins the presidency…and the results in that state, even after a recount, are tied. But because one particular voter in that state cast an unrecorded vote on an electronic voting machine, he is permitted to vote again. Implausible, but it sounds like fun. See here for the movie’s web page. Thanks to Dan Tokaji for this news.

On July 14, the Ohio Constitution Party submitted almost 12,000 signatures to place Chuck Baldwin on the November ballot as an independent presidential candidate. He is the first independent presidential petition to submit a petition in Ohio this year. The state requires 5,000 signatures, but Ohio voter registration records are so poorly maintained, no one is safe unless they turn in double the requirement.