Republicans Find a 6th Prospect for FEC

Posted on by May 22, 2008
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On May 22, the Republicans in the U.S. Senate, in consultation with President Bush, found a nominee for the 6th and final seat on the Federal Election Commission. He is Matthew S. Petersen, now Republican Chief Counsel to the Senate Rules Committee. This development means that it is quite likely that the FEC will again have its full set of 6 commissioners by early June. Thanks to Rick Hasen for this news. Having the FEC functional again is good news for any minor party or independent presidential candidates who hope to receive primary season matching funds this year.

Howard Dean Calls for Direct Election of the President

Posted on by May 22, 2008
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According to this report, the Time Magazine issue that hits newstands on May 23 contains an interview with Howard Dean, national chair of the Democratic National Committee. In the interview, Dean recommends that Article One, Section Two of the U.S. Constitution be amended, to provide for a direct popular election for president. It is not known if he also discussed the advisability of also amending Article Two, Section One, to eliminate the ban on foreign-born U.S. citizens becoming president.

North Carolina Voters Can Now Register "Libertarian"

Posted on by May 22, 2008
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Starting on May 22, North Carolina voters may now register as members of the Libertarian Party, and have those registrations tallied by elections officials. Although most voter registration forms don’t list the Libertarian Party as a choice, the forms all have a blank line, so the word “Libertarian” can be written in.

In most states with registration by party, when a party goes off the ballot, elections officials acknowledge that the party continues to have registered members. North Carolina is different. A few months after the November 2004 election, elections officials forcibly converted all the Libertarians to “independent”, unless those Libertarians chose to become Republicans or Democrats. The party thus lost over 13,000 registrants, and must start again from a baseline of zero. Even voters whose original signed voter registration form still says “Libertarian” must re-register as Libertarians.

The reason voters can now register “Libertarian” and have that tallied is because the state acknowledges that the party’s recent petition drive did succeed in gathering enough signatures. Thanks to Michael Morrison for this news.

North Carolina Voters Can Now Register “Libertarian”

Posted on by May 22, 2008
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Starting on May 22, North Carolina voters may now register as members of the Libertarian Party, and have those registrations tallied by elections officials. Although most voter registration forms don’t list the Libertarian Party as a choice, the forms all have a blank line, so the word “Libertarian” can be written in.

In most states with registration by party, when a party goes off the ballot, elections officials acknowledge that the party continues to have registered members. North Carolina is different. A few months after the November 2004 election, elections officials forcibly converted all the Libertarians to “independent”, unless those Libertarians chose to become Republicans or Democrats. The party thus lost over 13,000 registrants, and must start again from a baseline of zero. Even voters whose original signed voter registration form still says “Libertarian” must re-register as Libertarians.

The reason voters can now register “Libertarian” and have that tallied is because the state acknowledges that the party’s recent petition drive did succeed in gathering enough signatures. Thanks to Michael Morrison for this news.

Senate Rules Committee Approves New FEC Commissioners

Posted on by May 22, 2008
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On May 22, the U.S. Senate Rules Committee approved three new Federal Election Commissioners. That Committee had a few weeks ago approved another new FEC member. The existing FEC is supposed to have 6 commissioners, but only has one. Assuming the U.S. Senate also approves the four new commissioners, the FEC will have a quorum again. But since the Republicans haven’t yet decided on the sixth seat (which would be a Republican seat), there still may be delay in the full Senate.